Outer Space

Virgin Galactic’s Timeline For Commercial Space Tourism

Virgin Galactic is getting closer and closer to launching tourists into space. Founder Richard Branson has been talking about his space tourism project for more than a decade.

But with each new successful launch, the vision seems to becoming closer to reality. While there is no concrete date, the company claims it is on track to launch its first commercial passenger flights before the end of 2018.

Virgin Galactic’s Latest Developments

On January 11th of this year, Virgin Galactic announced in a press release that the VSS Unity successfully completed its seventh high speed glide flight.

The press release read, in part:

It’s been a few months since our last flight, during which we worked through a planned period of focused ground time. This involved extensive analysis, testing and small modifications to ensure vehicle readiness for the higher loads and forces of powered test flight. Today we tested that work by pushing Unity’s atmospheric capabilities hard, touching top-end glide speeds as pilots Mark ‘Forger’ Stucky and Michael ‘Sooch’ Masucci completed a busy test card.

Alongside confirming the work that has taken place on the ground, the glide flight tested transonic flight performance, stability and control. After release from mothership VMS Eve, the spaceship was immediately pushed into a sharp descent, accelerating to Mach 0.9 which is around the maximum airspeed we can achieve without igniting the rocket motor!

Virgin Galactic Timeline

On May 29th, the company sent VSS Unity out on another flight. The goal was to further explore the shuttle’s supersonic handling and control performance. Another key attribute of the mission was to deploy the spaceship’s unique re-entry feathering system, which preempts the final glide home to a smooth landing.

“It was great to see our beautiful spaceship” back in action, Branson said following the flight. “Seeing Unity soar upwards at supersonic speeds is inspiring… We are getting closer to realizing our goals.”

The latest development in Virgin Galactic’s race to commercial space tourism occurred on July 6th. After two years of studies, government analysis, and business deliberations, SITAEL, ALTEC, the Spaceship Company, and Virgin Galactic all signed an agreement to bring spaceflights to Italy.

The Timeline: VSS Unity Test Flights

There is room to question whether the first manned takeoff will take place in 2018, mainly because Branson has a history of making rather ambitious predictions. But the past couple years have been revealing, as a consistent stream of test flights have ensued.

Here is a timeline of missions completed with Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity:

  • September 8, 2016: Successful launch reaching an altitude of 50,000 feet.
  • November 1, 2016: Launch postponed due to strong winds.
  • November 3, 2016: Launch postponed due to strong winds.
  • December 3, 2016: Successful 10-minute launch reaching an altitude of 55,000 feet.
  • December 22, 2016: Successful launch with free-flying glide test.
  • February 24, 2017: Successful launch with free-flying glide test.
  • May 1, 2017: First test flight of revamped re-entry system reaching an altitude of 51,000 feet.
  • June 1, 2017: Successful launch with free-flying glide test.
  • August 4, 2017: First free flight with propulsion system installed.
  • January 11, 2018: Successful launch with free-flying glide test.
  • April 5, 2018: First rocket-powered supersonic flight reaching 84,300 feet.
  • May 29, 2018: Successful launch reaching an altitude of 114,500 feet.
  • July 26, 2018: Successful launch reaching an altitude of 170,800 feet.

Leave a Reply