Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Big Rocket Test: Reactions & Celebrations

[Valin]

Space.com

Tariq Malik

4/29/13

 

The private spaceflight company Virgin Galactic performed a landmark test flight of its SpaceShipTwo space plane today, lighting up the craft's rocket motor in flight for the first time.

 

The powered flight test, the first for SpaceShipTwo after a series of captive carry and drop tests, marked a turning point for Virgin Galactic. The company is planning to launch its first suborbital SpaceShipTwo flights by the end of this year, and begin passenger flights in 2014.

 

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo is built by the veteran aerospace company Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif., and designed to launch six passengers and two pilots on trips to suborbital space. Virgin Galactic is selling tickets for the rocket ride at $200,000 per seat. Here's what Virgin Galactic officials and other space industry experts had to say about Monday's milestone rocket-powered flight of SpaceShipTwo

 

 

 

 

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XCOR Aerospace sends our warmest and heartfelt congratulations to our friends and colleagues at Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites on their successful first powered flight of the Spaceship Two (SS2) suborbital space plane.

 

We applaud their exceptional team on taking the next step in the greatest journey the human race has ever known. We look forward to meeting them there, above the clouds, where the adventure has only just begun.

 

Much work is left for the promise of commercial spaceflight to be realized. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Commercial Spaceflight Federation on advancing industry best practices, working on export licensing reform, and ensuring international regulatory frameworks that enable a new industry and inspire a generation of future innovators.

 

Today is a day to celebrate and acknowledge a job well done. Not only did Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip Two perform its first powered flight this morning, it also broke the sound barrier. Great job, Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites!