Virgin Galactic Ready , For Final Test Flight , Before Suborbital Tourism Debut.
CNN reports that Virgin Galactic
is getting ready to launch its first flight
to the edge of space in almost two years.
The suborbital space tourism company plans to carry
two pilots and a crew of four in the final test run before
finally opening up the service to paying customers.
In late June, Virgin Galactic expects
to launch its commercial services
out of its spaceport in New Mexico.
In July 2021, founder Richard Branson launched to the edge
of space along with three crewmates, less than two weeks
before rival Jeff Bezos conducted a similar test flight.
In July 2021, founder Richard Branson launched to the edge
of space along with three crewmates, less than two weeks
before rival Jeff Bezos conducted a similar test flight.
CNN reports that Branson has denied
that he was involved in a race with
Bezos to accomplish the feat.
Following the flight, the Federal Aviation Administration
opened an investigation into the Virgin Galactic flight
after discovering that it had veered off course mid-flight.
In September of 2021, the investigation
concluded and Branson's company was given
the all-clear to continue launching flights.
A series of delays followed,
which the company attributed
to unrelated technology upgrades.
We are making good progress
on validating the enhancements
made throughout 2022, and we
remain on track for commercial
service in Q2 of this year, Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic CEO, via CNN.
We are making good progress
on validating the enhancements
made throughout 2022, and we
remain on track for commercial
service in Q2 of this year, Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic CEO, via CNN.
CNN reports that Virgin Galactic is competing
with Bezos' Blue Origin to gain an advantage
in the developing suborbital tourism sector.
CNN reports that Virgin Galactic is competing
with Bezos' Blue Origin to gain an advantage
in the developing suborbital tourism sector