A Milestone for SpaceShipTwo... On February 28 of this year, Virgin Galactic's suborbital spacecraft entered a new phase in its test program when its RocketMotorTwo (RM2) engine was successfully fired at the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California. The test-fire (above)—which resulted in a 50-foot-long flame shooting out from RM2 that created a trail of smoke extending about a mile behind the booster—took place at night. The second test (below), which occurred more than two weeks ago on March 13, was also successful. A few more qualification tests will be conducted on RM2 before it is inevitably attached to SpaceShipTwo itself and finally sends the vehicle on a 60-plus-mile journey above the Earth. The goal to send commercial passengers into space will soon be in sight.
Scaled Composites / Tom Nault
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