Virgin Galactic completes first private astronaut flight
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. has completed its first private astronaut flight, ‘Galactic 02'.
Image copyright Virgin Galactic
The mission achieved multiple historic milestones, showcasing how Virgin Galactic spaceflights are broadening access to space for a diverse, global community of astronauts.
Flying private astronauts Jon Goodwin from the United Kingdom and Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers from Antigua and Barbuda, ‘Galactic 02’, respectively, achieved the following:
- First Olympian to go to space
- First female astronauts from the Caribbean and first mother-daughter duo to go to space
‘Galactic 02’ in-flight facts are as follows:
- Take-off Time: 08:30 am MDT
- Altitude at Release: 44,300 ft
- Apogee: 55 Miles
- Top Speed: Mach 3
- Landing Time:
Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic said: “Today Virgin Galactic took another historic leap forward by flying our first private astronaut mission and demonstrating how our spaceflights will broaden access to space. Jon, Keisha and Ana each embody our fundamental belief that space is for everyone, and we are proud that today’s flight has inspired people and communities around the world. This is just the beginning, as we plan to continue flying monthly spaceflights while also developing our Delta Class production spaceships to scale our business.”
CJ Sturckow, VSS Unity Commander said: “It is a surreal and humbling experience to have flown Unity today. The wonder and excitement of spaceflight never loses its magic. I had the honor of being joined in the cockpit by Kelly Latimer, one of the first female commercial spaceship pilots. I’m proud of the work we’re doing here at Virgin Galactic to fly more people to space.”
Kelly Latimer, VSS Unity Pilot said: “In my entire career, from the Air Force Academy to being a test pilot for NASA, nothing tops what I have just experienced at the controls of VSS Unity. Going to space today fulfilled an ambition I’ve had since I was a child. It is a privilege to be part of a majority-women crew making history as the most female astronauts flying to space in a single mission.”
The company will now proceed with post-flight inspections and analysis in preparation for the next commercial space mission, ‘Galactic 03,’ which is planned for September in a continuation of Virgin Galactic’s monthly flight cadence.
