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Italian researchers reach the edge of space flying aboard Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered plane
Read full article: Italian researchers reach the edge of space flying aboard Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered planeA team of Italian researchers has reached the edge of space, flying aboard Virgin Galactic’s rocket-powered plane.
Space Perspective raises enough to begin flights from Space Coast in 2024
Read full article: Space Perspective raises enough to begin flights from Space Coast in 2024Space Perspective, a start-up company, has obtained the financing it needs to start building its spacecraft and begin commercial flights in 2024.
Virgin Galactic says FAA has cleared it for further flights
Read full article: Virgin Galactic says FAA has cleared it for further flightsVirgin 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.
FAA bans Virgin Galactic launches while probing Branson trip
Read full article: FAA bans Virgin Galactic launches while probing Branson tripThe Federal Aviation Administration says Virgin Galactic can't launch anyone into space again until an investigation is complete into founder Richard Branson's off-course flight in July.
Virgin Galactic restarts space-trip sales at $450,000 and up
Read full article: Virgin Galactic restarts space-trip sales at $450,000 and upVirgin Galactic is selling tickets for space flights again, just weeks after founder Richard Branson rode a rocket-powered plane to more than 50 miles above the Earth.
Flips and big smiles: Branson and Virgin Galactic crew giddy during spaceflight
Read full article: Flips and big smiles: Branson and Virgin Galactic crew giddy during spaceflightVideo from Virgin Galactic shows Richard Branson and his fellow crew members looking down on Earth and floating in the SpaceShipTwo cabin.
Virgin Galactic rocket ship ascends from New Mexico
Read full article: Virgin Galactic rocket ship ascends from New MexicoVirgin Galactic has made its first rocket-powered flight from New Mexico to the fringe of space in a manned shuttle, as the company forges toward offering tourist flights to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Virgin Galactic rolls out latest generation of spaceship
Read full article: Virgin Galactic rolls out latest generation of spaceshipIn 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. – 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. “We expect as we get going on this to see a much quicker turnaround time and that really will help us grow the business.”AdFirst, 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
Read full article: Timing of next Virgin Galactic flight still up in the airThis 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. – 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
Read full article: 'Lost connection' hampers Virgin Galactic's test flightALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – 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. “After being released from its mothership, the spaceship’s onboard computer that monitors the rocket motor lost connection,” CEO Michael Colglazier said in a statement. “As we do with every test flight, we are evaluating all the data, including the root cause assessment of the computer communication loss,” 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.
UCF science getting more time in zero-G with Virgin Galactic --and soon Virgin Orbit
Read full article: UCF science getting more time in zero-G with Virgin Galactic --and soon Virgin OrbitColwell and UCF planetary scientist Addie Dove are co-investigators on the project that has previously flown twice with Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo will be carried by plane or “mothership” called VMS Eve taking off from New Mexico’s spaceport. Virgin Orbit, a sister Virgin company, is set to launch its first operational mission which includes science selected by NASA, including UCF’s Q-PACE small satellite. Q-PACE is another small payload with mighty research goals: to help scientists understand how planets formed. Virgin Orbit is targeting launch before the end of the year.
Window opens for Virgin Galactic test flight from spaceport
Read full article: Window opens for Virgin Galactic test flight from spaceportVirgin 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. – The window opens Friday for Virgin Galactic’s first rocket-powered test flight from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico as the company prepares for commercial flights next year. 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
Read full article: Virgin Galactic plans 1st New Mexico space launch this monthLOS ANGELES – Virgin Galactic said Thursday that it expects to launch its first manned test flight into space from New Mexico this month. The company’s 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 month’s 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.
Virgin Galactic reveals spaceship cabin where paying customers will experience spaceflight in style
Read full article: Virgin Galactic reveals spaceship cabin where paying customers will experience spaceflight in stylePrivate space company Virgin Galactic revealed its spaceship cabin design on Tuesday afternoon during a virtual event that was designed to lure more paying customers to want to fly with the company founded by billionaire Richard Branson. Virgin Galactic was founded by Branson with the goal of flying paying customers to the edge of space in the sleek spaceship. Previously, Virgin Galactic partnered with Under Armour and showed the suits off on a zero gravity catwalk, at an indoor skydiving venue. Ive rolled that all into training and into the cabin design, so that it is perfectly tuned, elegant, easy, safe, wonderful, Moses said. London-based design agency, Seymourpowell, led the cabin design project with Virgin Galactic.
Space roundup: List of launches, landings and out-of-this world announcements
Read full article: Space roundup: List of launches, landings and out-of-this world announcementsTo help you keep track of the exciting developments happening in spaceflight, below is a roundup of events, launches and landings any space enthusiast would be excited to follow. Heres when and how to watch all the latest space news this week:NASAs Mars rover launch eventsIn this May 20, 2020 photo made available by NASA/JPL-Caltech, engineers and technicians insert sample tubes into the belly of the Perseverance Mars rover at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA science leaders will discuss how the space agency plans to do this during a sample return briefing. The two astronauts will fly on a SpaceX test flight to the International Space Station. Sunday, Aug. 2Around 1 p.m. NASA and SpaceX will make the final call about Dragons deorbit from space.
Virgin Galactic partners with NASA to develop private astronaut program
Read full article: Virgin Galactic partners with NASA to develop private astronaut programPrivate space company Virgin Galactic will work with NASA to develop a private astronaut readiness program which could lead to paying customers flying to the International Space Station. Virgin Galactic, a publicly-traded aerospace company, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center entered a Space Act agreement Monday that will allow the private company to manage the development of the private astronaut program from end-to-end, according to a news release. Under the program, Virgin Galactic will identify candidates interested in purchasing private astronaut missions to the ISS, obtain transportation to the station and provide on-orbit and ground resources. More than 600 people have made reservations with Virgin Galactic for sub-orbital flights ranging between $200,000 and $250,000 per seat. Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic aims to be the first commercial company to fly paying customers on sub-orbital flights.