Virgin Galactic Launched a Second Successful Space Flight. Now, the $250,000 Tickets Are Going Fast

Forget that European vacation, space is calling.

Virgin Galactic's First Flight Into Space MarsScientific.com/Trumbull Studios

In February, Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (christened VSS Unity) successfully completed its fifth test flight and second trip into space. After many setbacks, the company in December successfully flew VSS Unity into space for the first time, reaching an altitude of 51.4 miles—past the border between Earth’s atmosphere and space, which NASA defines as 50 miles high. The flight marked a milestone in Virgin Galactic’s efforts to take paying passengers on space flights to altitudes where they will experience weightlessness, see the curvature of Earth, and stare at a pitch-black sky full of stars. A crowd that included the firm’s founder Richard Branson, a number of its employees, and the press watched from the company’s base in Mojave, Calif., as the spaceship, attached to mother ship Eve, launched from the runway. The two ships flew together to 40,000 feet, whereupon SpaceShipTwo was released. The crew then activated the rocket engine for 60 seconds, propelling the ship to a speed of Mach 2.9 (about 2,200 mph) and powering its climb beyond the atmosphere. Shortly after passing the 50-mile mark, the crew turned the spacecraft back to Mojave and glided it down to the runway.

Richard Branson celebrates first Spaceflight

Virgin Galactic’s founder Richard Branson celebrates the company’s out-of-this-world achievement.  Virgin Galactic

The mission’s two pilots, Mark “Forger” Stucky and Frederick “CJ” Sturckow, were awarded Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Astronaut Wings at a Washington, D.C., ceremony in February. The spaceship carried four space science and technology experiments from NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, making this Virgin Galactic’s first revenue-generating launch. It was also the first human spaceflight from U.S. soil since the final space shuttle mission in 2011, and the first time that a crewed vehicle built for commercial passenger service has reached space.

VSS Unity/VMS Eve take off for a push past the atmosphere in December.

VSS Unity/VMS Eve take off for a push past the atmosphere in December.  Virgin Galactic

The fifth test flight, and now second into space, blasted off with three crew members, one of whom was Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, Beth Moses, the first woman to travel to space aboard a commercial craft. This mission went farther and faster—55.87 miles, reaching a speed of Mach 3.04.

Virgin Galactic's First Spaceflight on December 13th 2018

The view from an altitude of 51.4 miles.  Virgin Galactic

Two more crafts are being built to help meet the anticipated passenger demand. And while all of the $250,000 seats are currently filled, those interested in booking a flight can sign up for updates on new offerings by registering with the company’s website.

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