Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo completed the crucial first step towards starting commercial space tourism by conducting a test flight in the skies above California this morning. The aircraft, which is designed to carry up to six passengers on board, took off at 9:20am local time (4:20am GMT) and reached a maximum altitude of about 31,000ft (9km), before returning to the runway and landing at 10:11am (5:11am GMT).
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo completed the first test flight of its new engines today, making it the first commercial space plane to fly without any passengers. The test flight took place at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The flight lasted more than one hour but didn’t make any attempts to put people in the air.
You can’t always predict what’s going to be big in the tech world, but one thing’s for sure: Space travel is an ever-growing interest. And SpaceShipTwo, a new commercial space craft being developed by the Virgin Galactic company, is aiming to take tourists into outer space-the first time. The $200 million endeavor, which is slated for completion by the end of the year, will bring space flights to the masses, opening up limitless opportunities for new technology.
It was a feather in Sir Richard Branson’s cap. His Virgin Galactic spacecraft is being prepared for commercial operation. The Unity aircraft, with two pilots at the controls, made the first of three major test flights over the New Mexico desert. He climbed to 55 miles and landed on the ground. The success of this flight will pave the way for space tourism. Sir Richard Branson is said to have several paying customers already. These are celebrities from the world of film and music, but it will have to wait until Unity is approved by the FAA, the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Once this is done, they can enjoy the flight and earn the title of space tourist.
This could happen by the end of the year. During the last attempt in December, technical problems occurred and the pilots had to abort the flight. The problems are solved. On the last flight, the mother plane took Unity to an altitude of 44,000 feet. Then he ignites his rocket engine, reaches Mach 3 and flies to the edge of space. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic wants to make space tourism a reality.
Sir Richard Branson’s spacecraft takes off from Spaceport America
Unity is the space plane of Virgin Galactic. The testing program has been underway for five years in an effort to perfect the maneuvers.
This particular flight has left its base. This is Spaceport America, a purpose-built shopping mall. Sir Richard Branson observed it from the ground and described it as a delightfully elegant experience. He flew deep into New Mexico and the mountains. Virgin Galactic is planning another flight in which, in addition to the pilots, four employees of the company will participate.
On their journey to the edge of space, they will be able to feel the essence of things. It will be followed by a flight in which Sir Richard himself will be a passenger. This indicates that the system is ready for commercial operation.
Space tourism has its share of competition
There is competition in space tourism. The International Space Station (ISS) has already been visited by several wealthy individuals.
The Russian space agency organized it in 2009. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have similar projects on the anvil. A June 2019 news release states that the ISS will host space tourists. The Russians are sticking to their idea of using the ISS for commercial flights. Several private companies are interested in this new branch of space travel. According to media reports, a hotel in space could become a reality by 2027. People are already used to long-haul flights, but space tourism is another matter.
Virgin Galactic’s Unity mission with human crew opens the era of space tourism
According to Sky News, Sir Richard Branson has laid the groundwork for space tourism.
Until now, space travel has been associated with science and technology. It was born out of a desire to learn more about the universe, starting with the moon and Mars. Scientists have worked in space laboratories to understand the changes in the behavior of living things in an unfamiliar environment. Today the focus is on space tourism, and Virgin Galactic has joined in. An honour for Sir Richard Branson. His company plans to begin commercial operations next year, once the formalities are completed. Elon Musk and his company SpaceX are next. In September, it will take four people to space on its first fully civilian flight. Later, in January 2022, three businessmen will travel to the ISS. Jeff Bezos is also in the running.
Her Blue Origin is in the testing phase. By the way: Virgin Galactic has already reached space twice. The inaugural flight took place in December 2018 from California. The second was a successful glide over Spaceport America last June.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDToday’s flight marked the first time that SpaceShipTwo has been piloted by a real person, before they send tourists into space. The flight started at about 1.30pm local time (10.30am GMT), and lasted approximately 45 minutes. The test flight marks the most significant step in a series of tests that will culminate in a commercial space flight in 2015.. Read more about virgin galactic twitter and let us know what you think.
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