Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Virgin Galactic Planning First SpaceFlight From New Mexico

Virgin Galactic, the commercial space tourism operation backed by Sir Richard Branson, says it is preparing for its first spaceflight from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The company--which has been developing its spacecraft in Mojave, California--says it plans the first launch later this fall, with the intent to carry several research payloads in the cabin of its spacecraft, the VSS Unity. Virgin Galactic is hoping to eventually carry passengers into space on the spacecraft, once it gains approval for those flights. Virgin Galactic said it has not yet set dates for that flight, but ssays there are additional tests planned before the launch this fall.