Airline of the future?
Virgin Galactic ship achieves manned free flight
[YT]5XcPgL42vn4[/YT]
The more than 370 people who've put down deposits on what they hope will be the first commercially available space flight tickets got a step closer to zero-gravity on Sunday. A Virgin Galactic ship achieved its first manned free flight and successfully glided into land.
The VSS Enterprise was released from its mothership at an altitude of 45,000 feet piloted by Pete Siebold, assisted by Mike Alsbury as co-pilot.
The aim was to achieve a clean release of the spaceship from its mothership and for the pilots to free fly and glide back and land, both of which were accomplished, the company said.
In a statement, Siebold said "The VSS Enterprise was a real joy to fly, especially when one considers the fact that the vehicle has been designed not only to be a Mach 3.5 spaceship capable of going into space but also one of the worlds highest altitude gliders."
"First flight days are always extraordinary," Stu Witt, General Manager of the Mojave Air and Space Port, said in the release. "This team effort by so many has been punctuated by a successful first test flight, and now everyone seeking a ride to space is a giant step closer."
"This is a critical milestone in Virgin Galactic's test program and a great day for the commercial spaceflight industry," John Gedmark, Executive Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, said. "At the end of the day, getting hardware off the ground is what it's really all about. Today's SpaceShipTwo test flight marks another key milestone towards opening the space frontier for private individuals, researchers, and explorers."
The Virgin Group began serious efforts at commercial space flight in 2004. Thus far 370 customers have put down deposits totaling $50 million. Flights on the commercial space liner are expected to cost $200,000 each. Passengers will have to undergo a three day preparation before their trip, including medical checks, bonding, and g- force acclimatization.
By Elizabeth Weise
Virgin Galactic ship achieves manned free flight
[YT]5XcPgL42vn4[/YT]
The more than 370 people who've put down deposits on what they hope will be the first commercially available space flight tickets got a step closer to zero-gravity on Sunday. A Virgin Galactic ship achieved its first manned free flight and successfully glided into land.
The VSS Enterprise was released from its mothership at an altitude of 45,000 feet piloted by Pete Siebold, assisted by Mike Alsbury as co-pilot.
The aim was to achieve a clean release of the spaceship from its mothership and for the pilots to free fly and glide back and land, both of which were accomplished, the company said.
In a statement, Siebold said "The VSS Enterprise was a real joy to fly, especially when one considers the fact that the vehicle has been designed not only to be a Mach 3.5 spaceship capable of going into space but also one of the worlds highest altitude gliders."
"First flight days are always extraordinary," Stu Witt, General Manager of the Mojave Air and Space Port, said in the release. "This team effort by so many has been punctuated by a successful first test flight, and now everyone seeking a ride to space is a giant step closer."
"This is a critical milestone in Virgin Galactic's test program and a great day for the commercial spaceflight industry," John Gedmark, Executive Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, said. "At the end of the day, getting hardware off the ground is what it's really all about. Today's SpaceShipTwo test flight marks another key milestone towards opening the space frontier for private individuals, researchers, and explorers."
The Virgin Group began serious efforts at commercial space flight in 2004. Thus far 370 customers have put down deposits totaling $50 million. Flights on the commercial space liner are expected to cost $200,000 each. Passengers will have to undergo a three day preparation before their trip, including medical checks, bonding, and g- force acclimatization.
By Elizabeth Weise
