Thursday, June 29, 2023

Virgin Galactic Has Officially Commenced Commercial Spaceflight Operations...

The four passengers of Galactic 01, including three members of the Italian Air Force, enjoy weightlessness aboard VSS Unity during her inaugural commercial spaceflight...on June 29, 2023.
Virgin Galactic

Earlier today, VSS Unity soared towards the edge of space a little over a month after the Unity 25 mission on May 25. Aboard the suborbital vehicle for this morning's inaugural commercial spaceflight, Galactic 01, were three members of the Italian Air Force: Col. Walter Villadei, Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi and Pantaleone Carlucci.

Virgin Galactic's astronaut instructor Colin Bennett was the fourth passenger on Galactic 01.

Here are the stats from today's flight:

Take-off Time: 8:30 AM, MDT (7:30 AM, PDT)

Release Altitude: 44,500 feet (13,564 meters)

Apogee: 52.9 miles (85.1 kilometers)

Landing Time: 9:42 AM, MDT (8:42 AM, PDT)

Number of Scientific Payloads: 13

With Virgin Galactic's first scientific research mission now in the books, the company looks ahead to Galactic 02...which will see the first private paying passengers soaring aboard VSS Unity this August.

Stay tuned!

VSS Unity detaches from VMS Eve to begin Galactic 01, Unity's inaugural commercial spaceflight, on June 29, 2023.
Virgin Galactic

VSS Unity soars high above New Mexico during Galactic 01, her inaugural commercial spaceflight, on June 29, 2023.
Virgin Galactic

VSS Unity sits on the runway at New Mexico's Spaceport America after successfully completing Galactic 01, her inaugural commercial spaceflight, on June 29, 2023.
Virgin Galactic
Posted by Richard Par at 12:19 PM
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