{"id":18975,"date":"2017-05-02T01:53:25","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T17:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/virgin-galactics-new-spaceshiptwo-space-plane-flexes-its-wings-in-flight-for-first-time\/"},"modified":"2017-05-02T01:53:25","modified_gmt":"2017-05-01T17:53:25","slug":"virgin-galactics-new-spaceshiptwo-space-plane-flexes-its-wings-in-flight-for-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/virgin-galactics-new-spaceshiptwo-space-plane-flexes-its-wings-in-flight-for-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Virgin Galactic\u2019s new SpaceShipTwo space plane flexes its wings in flight for first time"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"SpaceShipTwo
Long-range imagery shows the SpaceShipTwo plane known as VSS Unity with its wings in the feathered position for braking. (MarsScientific.com \/ Trumbull Studios via Virgin Galactic)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Virgin Galactic passed another essential milestone today in the flight test program for VSS Unity, its upgraded SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, by bending its wings into a \u201cfeathered\u201d position for the first time in the air.<\/p>\n

The company hailed the gliding test as a success in a series of tweets. Test pilots Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci were at VSS Unity\u2019s controls, while Nicola Pecile and CJ Sturckow piloted the White Knight Two carrier airplane. Flight test engineer Dustin Mosher rode in the mothership as well.<\/p>\n

The wing-feathering system is a crucial element for SpaceShipTwo, as it was for SpaceShipOne\u2019s prize-winning spaceflights back in 2004.<\/p>\n

The flight profile requires a slowdown from supersonic speeds during the descent from the edge of space. To do that, SpaceShipTwo has to angle its wings for a braking effect, similar to the floating effect produced by the feathers on a shuttlecock during a badminton game.<\/p>\n