News: Virgin Galactic space flights move a step closer
Flights > News > # 2217 (28/07/2009)
The plane built to launch Sir Richard Branson’s spaceship has flown in front of a public audience for the first time.
The twin-fuselage craft named WhiteKnightTwo was on display at the Experimental Aircraft Association's Air Venture annual gathering in the United States.
WhiteKnightTwo will lift Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, a pressurized spacecraft, into the atmosphere from a base in New Mexico. When they reach 50,000 feet, the spaceship would detach and blast into space at four times the speed of sound.
The six passengers would experience about five minutes of weightlessness and get a glimpse of Earth. The spaceship would glide back to Earth much like the space shuttle. Take-off to landing is expected to take about 2 1/2 hours.
Virgin Galactic doesn't have a launch date yet, but has already taken 300 reservations at US$200,000 (£120,000) each.
Tests are set to begin on SpaceShipTwo later this year. Branson himself plans to take the first trip alongside his 92-year-old father and 89-year-old mother.
Add to:
Related Airlines:
