VIRGIN GALACTIC

On July 26th, 2018 VSS Unity completed its third rocket-powered test flight, a key step forward the path to space. Julia Hunter, Virgin Galactic Vice President and longtime employee, gives us a behind-the-scenes look into her life as a program leader, astrophysics scholar and space mom working to realize a longtime dream of opening commercial spaceflight to citizens and science. Join Julia as she narrates a key test flight that surpassed 170,800 feet, reaching Mach 2.47. VSS Unity was piloted by Dave Mackay and Mike “Sooch” Masucci, with pilots Kelly Latimer and Todd Ericson in carrier aircraft VMS Eve. Read more at: https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/Into-the-Mesosphere-at-Mach-2/

Virgin Galactic conducted a supersonic test flight today of VSS Unity, a rocket-powered piloted Spaceship that will carry commercial passengers and scientific payloads to space. Following an initial and a subsequent supersonic test flight earlier this year, this marks the third powered flight and a key step forward in Virgin Galactic’s test program.

Richard Branson joined Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company teams on the Mojave Air and Space Port flight line, to witness VSS Unity’s second supersonic, rocket powered test flight. SpaceshipTwo Unity rocketed to an altitude of 114,500 feet, reaching a speed of Mach 1.9 before gliding back to the Mojave Desert for landing. “It was great to see our beautiful spaceship back in the air and to share the moment with the talented team who are taking us, step by step, to space” Richard said. "I’ve wanted to go to space since I saw the moon landing, and I also have an absolute desire to try and make it affordable for hundreds of thousands of people to become astronauts."

Richard Branson joined Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company teams this morning, on the Mojave Air and Space Port flight line, to witness VSS Unity’s second successful, supersonic, rocket powered test flight. SpaceshipTwo Unity rocketed to an altitude of 114,500 feet, reaching a speed of Mach 1.9 before gliding back to the Mojave Desert for landing. “It was great to see our beautiful spaceship back in the air and to share the moment with the talented team who are taking us, step by step, to space” Branson said. “Seeing Unity soar upwards at supersonic speeds is inspiring and absolutely breathtaking. We are getting ever closer to realizing our goals. Congratulations to the whole team!”

The creation of a hybrid rocket motor system for SpaceShipTwo represented a significant engineering challenge. We are particularly proud that we designed and now test and manufacture this world class motor in house. Come meet the team behind the burn…the Rocket Guys. Do you want to help power the world’s first commercial spaceline? Our world-class rocket motor team is hiring. Join us today: https://virg.in/RocketJobs

Experience the first rocket-powered, supersonic flight through the eyes of Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot, Dave Mackay. MarsScientific.com and Trumbull Studios.

VSS Unity flew beautifully, going supersonic for the first time under rocket power in Mojave, California on 5th April, 2018.

Successful Spaceflight Operations are a result of seamless teamwork in the air, on the ground, and in between. Our Mojave-based Mission Control team measures up to the best in the world. In this video let us take you behind the doors (and screens!) of our control room in the second episode of our Overview Series. If you share our passions and believe you have what it takes to help build the world’s first Spaceline, check out our job openings at https://virg.in/ilovespace

The Virgin Galactic ground crew plays an essential role in our commercial spaceline operations. Meet our spaceship mechanics and watch them prepare our vehicles VSS Unity and VMS Eve for a flight -- right up until they pull chocks for taxi and take-off.

Virgin Galactic's community of Future Astronauts gather in Idaho for a three day event to celebrate the 2017 total solar eclipse. Our friend and Future Astronaut, Professor Stephen Hawking speaks about the eclipse and reminds us on the importance of science and curiosity. Intro music by: 'Show Me Love' - Hundred Waters

Design. Manufacture. Test. We Build Spaceships.

On May 1st, 2017 VSS Unity "feather" re-entry system was activated in flight for the first time. VSS Unity was piloted by Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci, with pilots Nicola Pecile and CJ Sturckow as well as flight test engineer Dustin Mosher in carrier aircraft VMS Eve. This test flight was the fourth glide flight (and eighth flight overall) of VSS Unity. VSS Unity Project Engineer, Gabe Williams, describes the vehicle's unique feathering re-entry system.

On December 3, 2016, our new SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew freely for the first time. This important test marks the first time that a vehicle built by our manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company, has flown fully under its own control. In this video, Lead Test Pilot, Mark "Forger" Stucky, explains what it's like flying VSS Unity for the first time. You can read more about this flight test and about what’s coming next here: virg.in/HF6Yp

Yesterday in Denver, The Spaceship Company’s chairman Doug Shane spoke at Boom’s unveil of its XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator, a subscale prototype of the Boom supersonic passenger airliner. The Spaceship Company is a proud partner of Boom Supersonic and will provide engineering and manufacturing services, along with flight test support and operations. Doug introduced a congratulatory message from Sir Richard Branson.

On September 8, 2016, our new SpaceShipTwo--VSS Unity--took to the skies for the first time. This is first ever flight of a vehicle built by our manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company. In this video, Mike Moses--our Senior Vice President of Operations, and a NASA veteran who oversaw dozens of successful flights to space--helps explain this flight and how it fits into the context of our full testing program. You can read more about this flight test and about what’s coming next here: http://virg.in/abKzK

“Breaking Boundaries: cutting edge, innovative, new frontiers, bold ideas” are the themes of Purdue University’s Distinguished Science Alumni award. We could not be more proud that Virgin Galactic’s very own SVP of Operations Mike Moses is among this year’s honorees.

We were honoured to have Professor Stephen Hawking officially name our new vehicle - Virgin Spaceship Unity. This video contains Stephen's speech alongside highlights from the ceremony.

Malala welcomes Virgin Spaceship Unity and takes the opportunity to discuss the importance of STEM education and the role of women in science and engineering.

We are proud to introduce not only our brand new vehicle 'Virgin Spaceship Unity', but also some of our incredible team who are making our dream of opening up space to change the world for good, a reality.