Tag: SS2
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VSS Unity Arrives at Spaceport America for Commercial Operations
Carried by her mothership VMS Eve, Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity has arrived at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The move from Mojave, California, signals the beginning of the end of SpaceShipTwo’s test campaign, moving ever closer to operational missions for paying customers. The WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft and SpaceShipTwo spaceplane departed Mojave Air and Space Port…
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Virgin Galactic assemble primary structures for second SpaceShipTwo
Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company have announced new milestones in the assembly of the primary structures for the second SpaceShipTwo in its current fleet. A sister to VSS Unity, the yet-unnamed vehicle is set to launch customers into suborbital space in the 2020s. VSS Unity is being prepared for that first customer flight, although…
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Virgin Galactic assemble primary structures for second SpaceShipTwo
Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company have announced new milestones in the assembly of the primary structures for the second SpaceShipTwo in its current fleet. A sister to VSS Unity, the yet-unnamed vehicle is set to launch customers into suborbital space in the 2020s. VSS Unity is being prepared for that first customer flight, although…
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SpaceShipTwo’s 2018 test campaign returns to powered flight
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo has moved into powered flight testing. The test comes early in the 2018 campaign, as VSS Unity was put through her paces with several unpowered glide tests and landings. Thursday’s powered flight – with a partial duration burn – was the first time since the loss of VSS Enterprise in 2014. Virgin…
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Moses looking to guide VSS Unity to her North Star
Virgin Galactic’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Mike Moses, spoke of the goal of installing a “North Star” safety culture into the VSS Unity, following her rollout ceremony on Friday. The highly respected former Space Shuttle Launch Integration Manager played a major role in helping the Shuttle orbiter’s “finish strong” and now aims to help Virgin Galactic’s…
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NTSB SpaceShipTwo findings will serve to strengthen our resolve – Branson
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has provided details into the probable cause of the SpaceShipTwo failure during last year’s test flight. The investigation found co-pilot error and procedural issues relating to the SS2’s feather system were to blame. With the investigation now closed, Virgin Galactic are building a new spacecraft with modifications to mitigate…
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British government reveal vision for the UK’s first spaceport
The British government continued its steady path towards recovering its space ambitions by revealing visions of what would become the first spaceport on the UK mainland. As expected, the base would be targeted mainly towards the suborbital space tourism market and possibly commercial satellite launches – likely to polar orbit destinations. UK Spaceport: The United…
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SpaceShipTwo Glides Toward December Debut
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2), slated to become the world’s first commercial manned spacecraft, is undergoing rigorous testing at California’s Mojave Air and Space Port. Christened “VSS Enterprise”, the first in Virgin Galactic’s planned fleet of suborbital spaceplanes is scheduled to complete its first space flight in December, leading to an eventual debut with commercial passengers.…
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Qualification testing begins on Dream Chaser’s rocket motor
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have begun qualification testing on the hybrid rocket motor that will provide propulsion to their Dream Chaser vehicle in space. The initiation of testing is part of the company’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) milestones, as they continue to set their sights on transporting NASA astronauts to the ISS. Dream Chaser…
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From Shuttle to SS2 – Sturckow joins Virgin Galactic
Space Shuttle veteran Frederick “CJ” Sturckow has joined Virgin Galactic’s commercial flight team. The retired U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel has been joined by retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel Michael “Sooch” Masucci as additional pilots to fly the company’s SpaceShipTwo. SS2 Pilots: Virgin Galactic are ramping up their operations, with one powered test…