Virgin Galactic Reaches Space
On December 13, Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two, VSS Unity, made its first trip to space, reaching an altitude of 51.4 miles, just above the 50-mile boundary defined by NASA. “Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship, built to carry private passengers, reached Space,” said Virgin Galactic CEO Richard Branson. “We will now push on with the remaining portion of our flight-test program.” The commercial space sector “has great potential,” said FAA acting administrator Dan Elwell after the flight. “The FAA is committed to helping ensure commercial space transportation grows safely.” VSS Unity was lifted to 43,000 feet by the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, and carried a crew of two pilots, and four NASA experiments.
Six Honored By National Aviation Hall of Fame
The National Aviation Hall of Fame has announced it will enshrine six aviators in a ceremony this September in Denver, Colorado. The NAHF Class of 2019 includes Americans who made enduring contributions to both the advancement of flight and the exploration of space. The new inductees are, Colonel Guion “Guy” S. Bluford, USAF (Ret), who served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam, and later flew on the Space Shuttle four times; Brigadier General Charles M. Duke, Jr., USAF (Ret), who was the 10th person to walk on the Moon, with Apollo 16; and Martha and John King, who have been CFIs for 40 years, and according to NAHF, “have instructed more than half the pilots now flying in the U.S.” The Hall of Fame also will induct Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, USMC, fighter ace and leader of the famous “Black Sheep Squadron” of World War II; and Katherine Stinson, founder of the Stinson School of Flying in 1915.
