Virgin Galactic advances civilian spaceflight with Galactic 3 mission
Virgin Galactic has revealed that its SpaceShipTwo prototype, VSS Unity, is preparing for a third commercial suborbital flight. This milestone represents another step in the expanding field of civilian space exploration, with operations aligned to Spaceport America in New Mexico.
The lift will be provided by the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, a twin-hulled system designed to carry the spacecraft skyward before release. The takeoff and ascent will unfold from Spaceport America, a growing hub for commercial spaceflight activity in the United States.
At release, SpaceShipTwo is set to separate from the carrier at an altitude near 15,000 meters. It will then ignite its propulsion to climb to about 80,000 to 90,000 meters. This ascent creates a brief window of microgravity, offering passengers several minutes of weightlessness during the high-altitude portion of the flight.
The Galactic 3 mission will transport three Virgin Galactic crew members alongside three commercial space tourists. The passenger roster remains confidential until closer to launch, with names not publicly disclosed at this time.
In terms of duration, the entire mission lasts roughly one hour, including the ascent, microgravity exposure, and a controlled return to Earth with a smooth touchdown. The experience is designed to deliver a compact, high-value moment of spaceflight that blends scientific curiosity with the excitement of civilian space tourism.
Virgin Galactic recently marked a significant milestone with a June flight that represented its first commercial manned suborbital mission featuring three Italian citizens. On that mission, VSS Unity separated from its carrier at altitude and ascended to approximately 80 kilometers, where passengers enjoyed minutes of weightlessness before the vehicle was guided back for landing. The mission demonstrated ongoing interest in suborbital tourism as a pathway to accessible space experiences.
As these missions unfold, observers note the evolving landscape of private spaceflight. Discussions continue about safety, training, and the broader implications for science outreach and commercial research aboard suborbital platforms. The trajectory of SpaceShipTwo and related programs continues to shape the future of human spaceflight for paying customers and mission specialists alike, reinforcing Spaceport America’s role as a center for these pioneering endeavors.
Ultimately, the progress of SpaceShipTwo and the Galactic 3 mission underscores a growing trend: civilian access to near‑space experiences is expanding beyond the traditional aerospace community, inviting a wider audience to participate in the exploration and inspiration that accompany human spaceflight.
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