Virgin Galactic says FAA has cleared it for further flights
Virgin Galactic says the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared it to resume launches after an investigation into why its spaceship veered off course while descending during a July flight over New Mexico with founder Richard Branson aboard.
Virgin Galactic rolls out latest generation of spaceship
In this undated photo provided by Virgin Galactic is the VSS Imagine, the first SpaceShip III in the Virgin Galactic Fleet in Mojave, Calif. Virgin Galactic rolled out its newest spaceship Tuesday, March 30, 2021, as the company looks to resume test flights in the coming months at its headquarters in the New Mexico desert. (Virgin Galactic via AP). ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ Virgin Galactic rolled out its newest spaceship Tuesday as the company looks to resume test flights in the coming months at its headquarters in the New Mexico desert. Virgin Galactic is one of a few companies looking to cash in on customers with an interest in space. โWe expect as we get going on this to see a much quicker turnaround time and that really will help us grow the business.โAdFirst, Virgin Galactic needs regulatory approval for the current generation and that means successful rocket-powered test flights.
Timing of next Virgin Galactic flight still up in the air
This photo provided by Virgin Galactic shows SpaceShipTwo Unity being released from the carrier mothership, VMS Eve for second successful glide flight in New Mexico on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Virgin Galactic is celebrating the second successful glide flight of its spaceship over Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. (Virgin Galactic via AP)ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ Virgin Galactic on Friday put off plans to make another attempt at a rocket-powered flight from New Mexico to the fringe of space, saying it needed more time for technical checks. In June, Virgin Galactic marked its second successful glide flight over Spaceport America. Virgin Galactic is one of a few companies looking to cash in on customers with an interest in space.
'Lost connection' hampers Virgin Galactic's test flight
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ A Virgin Galactic test flight Saturday ended prematurely as the spacecraft's rocket motor failed to ignite and it then glided down safely to its landing site in southern New Mexico. โAfter being released from its mothership, the spaceshipโs onboard computer that monitors the rocket motor lost connection,โ CEO Michael Colglazier said in a statement. โAs we do with every test flight, we are evaluating all the data, including the root cause assessment of the computer communication loss,โ Colglazier said. It's unclear how soon another window will open for Virgin Galactic's next attempt at a powered flight to space. Virgin Galactic has yet to announce a firm date for its first commercial flight.
Window opens for Virgin Galactic test flight from spaceport
Virgin Galactic is celebrating the second successful glide flight of its spaceship over Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. Virgin Galactic posted on social media that the flight crew is ready but do not plan to fly before Saturday. Officials with Virgin Galactic and the state-financed spaceport said the test flight will mark another key milestone in the march toward commercial flights. The impending flight will be the third space flight for Virgin Galactic and the first from New Mexico. In addition to those who have put down deposits for a ride with Virgin Galactic, several thousand more have registered their interest online.
Virgin Galactic plans 1st New Mexico space launch this month
LOS ANGELES โ Virgin Galactic said Thursday that it expects to launch its first manned test flight into space from New Mexico this month. The companyโs spacecraft, VSS Unity, conducted two previous test spaceflights from Mojave, California, before moving in to its facilities at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The spaceport will be Virgin Galactic's base for launching passengers on brief trips high above the Earth, starting with billionaire founder Richard Branson next year. In addition to passengers, Unity can carry small science experiments and will do so on this monthโs flight, generating some revenue through a NASA program. Virgin Galactic also has made progress on a second spaceship in its planned fleet and plans to roll it out during the first quarter of 2021, CEO Michael Colglazier said in a statement.