Virgin Galactic Makes History with First Commercial Spaceflight
Virgin Galactic, the renowned space tourism company founded by Sir Richard Branson, reached a significant milestone by successfully conducting its inaugural commercial spaceflight on June 29, 2023. This groundbreaking mission, codenamed “Galactic 01,” carried three Italian researchers and three Virgin Galactic employees to the cusp of space aboard the VSS Unity space plane, which took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico.
The Italian Air Force’s Col. Walter Villadei, Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi, and Pantaleone Carlucci from the National Research Council of Italy conducted a series of vital scientific experiments during the flight. Their research focused on diverse topics such as human physiology, cognitive performance, and fluid dynamics in microgravity. Accompanying them were Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, Colin Bennett, lead operations engineer, and Sirisha Bandla, vice president of government affairs.
This mission formed part of a government-sponsored suborbital research program aimed at propelling scientific knowledge and fostering innovation in space exploration. Each of the Italian researchers paid $450,000 for their seats on the space plane, which reflects the current price for future space tourists seeking a brief experience of weightlessness and an awe-inspiring view of Earth’s curvature.
The VSS Unity space plane was lifted into the skies by its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, and subsequently released at an altitude of approximately 50,000 feet (15,000 meters). Igniting its rocket motor, the space plane ascended to an impressive apogee of 52.9 miles (85.1 kilometers), surpassing the recognized boundary of space at 50 miles (80 kilometers) as designated by the U.S. government. During the approximately four minutes of microgravity, the passengers had a taste of weightlessness before the space plane gracefully glided back to Earth and touched down on a runway at Spaceport America.
This successful mission marks a significant triumph for Virgin Galactic, which has dedicated close to two decades to the development of its air-launched space plane system. The company has previously executed six suborbital space flights, including one in July 2021 that saw Sir Richard Branson himself on board. Virgin Galactic plans to conduct two more test flights before commencing regular commercial operations in 2024.
As a key player in the emerging suborbital space tourism market, alongside Blue Origin by Jeff Bezos and SpaceX by Elon Musk, Virgin Galactic has already secured reservations from nearly 800 customers eager to embark on their journey to space. These reservations have generated deposits and membership fees exceeding $100 million. Additionally, Virgin Galactic offers opportunities for researchers, educators, and students to conduct their own experiments in space through the Galactic Unite program.
Virgin Galactic’s momentous achievement with its first commercial spaceflight showcases the immense potential of suborbital space travel, both for tourism and scientific research. The company aims to inspire and encourage more individuals to explore the final frontier, contributing to the advancement of humanity’s knowledge and understanding of the cosmos.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, cnbc.com, msn.com, space.com