Register

SpaceShipTwo to Test Fly in Space by Year End, Virgin Galactic Says

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Virgin Galactic aims to conduct test flights of its SpaceShipTwo outside Earth's atmosphere by the end of the year, after completing numerous glide and mothership tests.
  • SpaceShipTwo, designed by Scaled Composites, is a 60-foot craft intended to carry two pilots and six passengers on suborbital space tourism flights.
  • The company has sold nearly 500 seats at $200,000 each and secured a deal with NASA for charter flights, with passenger service projected to begin in 2013 or 2014.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The space tourism venture launched by billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is looking to test fly SpaceShipTwo outside of Earth’s atmosphere before the end of this year, the company said earlier this week.

To date, the carbon-composite spacecraft has completed 16 glide tests, as well as 15 tests while attached to its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo. ** Virgin Galactic** says it is making preparations to install the rocket motor in the spaceship later this year, with the first rocket-powered test flights to follow thereafter.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE