Virgin Galactic is on the cusp of achieving a major milestone, as it prepares to launch its first-ever commercial flight to the edge of space on Thursday. This momentous occasion comes after years of rigorous testing, including a string of setbacks, including the tragic death of test pilot Michael Alsbury in a crash in 2014. Despite these challenges, the company has persevered and is now poised to send paying passengers to an altitude of approximately 53 miles (86 kilometers), seven times higher than a commercial passenger jet.
The passenger list for this historic flight includes Colonel Walter Villadei and Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Landolfi from the Italian Air Force, and Pantaleone Carlucci from the National Research Council of Italy. They will go on a 90-minute suborbital experience, which will take them to the highest point reached by a human-made object, short of the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.
The flight will take place on board VSS Unity, a specialized spaceplane developed by Virgin Galactic, which will be carried by another aircraft called VMS Eve. Once VSS Unity reaches an altitude of 50,000 feet, Eve will release it, allowing the spaceplane to fire up its rocket engine and hurtle towards the edge of space. During the ascent, passengers will experience weightlessness and will have a few moments to take in the breathtaking views of Earth from the unique vantage point.
The primary focus of this mission is scientific research, and the passengers will be busy conducting experiments and handling payloads during their time in microgravity conditions. After reaching the edge of space, VSS Unity will glide back to Earth, making a runway landing at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Virgin Galactic’s Pioneering Journey to the Edge of Space
Virgin Galactic has undergone extensive testing, including two fully crewed test flights, with the most recent taking place in May. The company is committed to flying its second mission in August and plans to begin serving the hundreds of “space tourists” who have paid up to $450,000 for the privilege of experiencing the edge of space.
This achievement is significant not only for Virgin Galactic but also for the commercial space industry as a whole. The company’s suborbital flights offer a unique experience that is unmatched by any other commercial space venture, including Blue Origin, a rocket company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. While Blue Origin has achieved significant milestones, including six successful crewed flights, it has also faced setbacks, including a midair failure during a crewless mission in September.
Virgin Galactic’s pioneering journey to the edge of space is a testament to the company’s dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity. As the world watches the first commercial flight unfold, it is clear that this is just the beginning of a new era in commercial space exploration. With its sights set on the edge of space, Virgin Galactic is poised to open up new opportunities for space tourism and scientific research, pushing the boundaries of human achievement.
