Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic’s private spaceplane scrapes into space
For the third time since 2018, a Virgin Galactic spaceplane has managed to get close to space. Billionaire Richard Branson sees commercial space tourism within reach.
On Saturday, the space capsule “VSS Unity” took off from the spaceport “Spaceport America” in the US state of New Mexico on board the carrier aircraft “VMS Eve” in the direction of space. At a height of almost 14 kilometers, “VSS Unity” decoupled from the carrier aircraft and continued the journey with its own rocket drive at three times the speed of sound.
Today’s view: Infinite. # Unity21 made a beautiful ascent to apogee over Spaceport America, New Mexico. #VirginGalactic pic.twitter.com/jphjbMbSr2
– Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) May 22, 2021
Contents
VSS Unity flies high, but not as far as the Kármán Line
VSS Unity, our two pilots and @NASA_Technology supported experiments are now in space. #VirginGalactic
– Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) May 22, 2021
The capsule had reached a height of 89.2 kilometers, which was reason enough for Virgin Galactic to tweet “now in space”. In fact, there are different interpretations of when aviation becomes space travel. Usually the so-called Kármán line is referenced.
The meanwhile is about 100 kilometers above sea level. Others want to locate the transition to space from over 80 kilometers. Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin, which is also targeting space tourism, is currently auctioning a space on board a New Shepard rocket. Their goal is the aforementioned Kármán line.
Tourist flights planned from 2022
After a failed attempt last December, the mission can still be considered a complete success. Billionaire and company leader Richard Branson reacted with enthusiasm. He tweeted that Virgin Galactic has now flown seven people into space and is continuing its mission to open space for everyone.
Three more test flights are to take place this year. Branson wants to take part in the next but one. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin as early as next year. Then every flight of the “VSS Unity” will bring six passengers close to space. That is the maximum capacity of the 18 meter long capsule. It also houses two pilots.
Virgin Galactic won’t be able to complain about underutilization for a long time. After Branson had been promising space flights since 2007, a corresponding number of bookings have accumulated. Currently, after deducting all cancellations and withdrawals, 600 sold tickets are still waiting to be redeemed. With ticket prices starting at $ 250,000, there is huge revenue slumbering.
