By 
September 9th, 2023
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Details of Virgin Galactic’s fourth successful suborbital flight in four months have been released by the space travel firm.
The completion of its second private astronaut flight, the mission flew three of Virgin Galactic’s first customers.
“Galactic 03” was the third flight of Virgin Galactic’s inaugural commercial spaceflight season.
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
The September 8 flight from New Mexico’s Spaceport America followed the company’s first research mission in June and first private astronaut mission in August.
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Onboard Galactic 03:
Astronaut 014 Ken Baxter from the United States of America
Astronaut 015 Timothy Nash from South Africa, and British Citizen
Astronaut 016 Adrian Reynard from the United Kingdom
Spaceship VSS Unity was piloted by Commander Nicola Pecile and Pilot Michael Masucci. Chief Astronaut Instructor Beth Moses was also on board.
The mothership VMS Eve that released VSS Unity was piloted by commander Jameel Janjua and pilot Kelly Latimer.
In-flight facts
According to Virgin Galactic, the Galactic 03 in-flight facts:
- Take-off Time 8:34 am Mountain Time (Local)
- Altitude at Release 44,867 feet
- Apogee 55 miles
- Top Speed Mach 2.95
- Landing Time 09:36 am Mountain Time
Per Virgin Galactic, the company is proceeding with post-flight inspections and analysis in preparation for the next commercial space mission, “Galactic 04,” which is planned for early October.
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Image credit: Virgin Galactic/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Image credit: Virgin Galactic
Posted in Space News
