VSS Unity#Flights
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2020}}
{{short description|American commercial sub-orbitable space ship}}
{{redirect-distinguish|VSS Voyager|USS Voyager (disambiguation){{!}}USS Voyager}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:VSS Unity}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = VSS Unity
|image = File:Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo "Unity" rollout 19Feb2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California.jpg
|caption = Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Unity rollout, 19 February 2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California
|alt =
|sole example of type?= no
|aircraft name = VSS Unity
|other_names =
|type = Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo
|manufacturer = The Spaceship Company
|construction_date =
|military_serial =
|radio_code =
|first_flight = {{bulleted list
| 3 December 2016
(glide flight)
| 5 April 2018
(powered flight)
| 13 December 2018
(spaceflight dependent upon definition)
}}
|owners = Virgin Galactic
|in_service = 2016–2024
|flights =
|total_hours =
|total_distance =
|fate = Retired 8 June 2024
|preservation =
}}
VSS Unity (Virgin Space Ship Unity, registration: N202VG), previously referred to as VSS Voyager, is a retired SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered crewed spaceplane. It was the second SpaceShipTwo to be built and was part of the Virgin Galactic fleet. It first reached space as defined by the United States (above 50 miles or 80.5 km) on 13 December 2018, on the VP-03 mission.{{cite tweet |user=virgingalactic |number=700795235291402240 |date=19 February 2016 |title=Virgin Galactic announces new ship name}}
Unity was able to reach space as defined by the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, by going over 50 miles (80.5 km) above sea level. However, it was unable to go above the Kármán line, the FAI's defined space boundary of 100 km (62.1 miles).
VSS Unity was rolled out on 19 February 2016{{cite web |url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/New-SpaceShipTwo-Rollout-Friday-225723-1.html |title=New SpaceShipTwo Rollout Friday |work=AVweb |date=18 February 2016 |access-date=19 February 2016 |archive-date=22 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322112641/http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/New-SpaceShipTwo-Rollout-Friday-225723-1.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/virgin-galactic-new-spaceship-1.3399865|title=Virgin Galactic unveils new space tourism rocket plane|date=19 February 2016|work=CBC News|access-date=20 February 2016}} and completed ground-based system integration testing in September 2016, prior to its first flight on 8 September 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/virgin-galactic-new-spaceshiptwo-captive-carry/ |title=Virgin Galactic's new SpaceShipTwo gets off the ground, two years after fatal mishap |publisher=GeekWire |date=2016-09-08 |access-date=2016-09-08}}
Unity was retired on 8 June 2024 after its final flight took place on that date, as Virgin Galactic shifted its focus to the next generation Delta-class vehicles.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2024-05-08 |title=Virgin Galactic plans higher mothership flight rate with next-generation spaceplanes |url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-plans-higher-mothership-flight-rate-with-next-generation-spaceplanes/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}
Overview
VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane for Virgin Galactic,{{cite web|title=Mojave Update: SpaceShipTwo Construction|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/mojave-update-spaceshiptwo-construction/|website=virgingalactic.com|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003230106/http://www.virgingalactic.com/mojave-update-spaceshiptwo-construction/|url-status=dead}} was the first SpaceShipTwo built by The Spaceship Company. The ship's name was announced on 19 February 2016. Prior to the naming announcement, the craft was referred to as SpaceShipTwo, Serial Number Two.{{cite web|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Zach|title=The Making of SpaceShipTwo|url=http://www.airspacemag.com/as-interview/making-spaceshiptwo-180952849/?no-ist|website=Air & Space Smithsonian|publisher=Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine|access-date=11 September 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Crane|first1=Rachel|title=Inside Virgin Galactic's newest passenger spaceship|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/13/tech/virgin-galactic-space-tourism-update/|website=Inside Virgin Galactic's Space Tourism Rocket Factory|date=13 June 2014 |publisher=CNN|access-date=11 September 2015}} There was speculation in 2004 that Serial Number Two would be named VSS Voyager,{{cite news |url= http://www.economist.com/node/3500237 |title= One small step for space tourism... |date= 16 December 2004 |publisher= The Economist }} an unofficial name that was repeatedly used in media coverage.{{cite news |last=Roll |first=Erin |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/glen-ridge-resident-helping-to-launch-commercial-spaceflight-1.696763 |title=Glen Ridge resident helping to launch commercial spaceflight |work=NorthJersey.com |date=2013-11-21 |access-date=2015-11-09 }}{{cite news |last=Dean |first=Lewis |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-pilot-dies-after-serious-flight-problem-1472637 |title=Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Crash: Pilot Dies After 'Serious' In-Flight Problem |work=International Business Times |date=2014-10-31 |access-date=2015-11-09 }}{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=John |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1481365.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_11_08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302121559/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1481365.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_11_08 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2016 |title= Virgin: Our spaceship will be flying by April |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=2014-11-09 |access-date=2015-11-09 }} The name Unity was chosen by British physicist Stephen Hawking. Hawking's eye was also used as the model for the eye logo on the side of Unity.{{cite news |author= USA Today |publisher= Youtube |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNn91OnB-8 |title= New Virgin Galactic spacecraft gets rock star unveiling |date= 2016-02-19|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160221012023/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNn91OnB-8|archive-date= 21 February 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cbignore}}
History
File:Lorenda Ward SpaceShipTwo 2014.jpg
The manufacture of Unity began in 2012. The spacecraft's registration, N202VG, was filed in September 2014.{{cite web |url= http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=202VG |date= 11 September 2014 |access-date= 2014-11-05 |title= N202VG is Reserved |publisher= FAA |archive-date= 6 November 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141106121323/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=202VG |url-status= dead }} As of early November 2014, the build of Unity was about 90 percent structurally complete, and 65 percent complete overall.
As of April 2015, ground tests of Unity were projected to be able to begin as early as late 2015,{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11551234/Virgin-Galactic-to-test-new-craft-by-end-of-year.html |title= Virgin Galactic 'to test new craft by end of year' |date= 21 April 2015 |publisher= The Telegraph (London) }}
after being projected as early as mid-2015 as of November 2014.{{cite news |url= http://www.ibtimes.com/virgin-galactic-hopes-restart-spaceshiptwo-tests-summer-2015-1719766 |title= Virgin Galactic Hopes To Restart SpaceShipTwo Tests In Summer 2015 |author= Luke Villapaz |date= 5 November 2014 |work= International Business Times }}{{cite news |url= http://www.newsweek.com/virgin-galactic-ceo-sees-new-spacecraft-ready-next-year-281652 |title= Virgin Galactic CEO Sees New Spacecraft Ready Next Year |access-date= 2014-11-02 |publisher= Newsweek |agency= Reuters |date= 2 November 2014 }}{{cite news |url= http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/next-spaceshiptwo-takes-shape-virgin-galactic-hangar-n242316 |title= The Next SpaceShipTwo Takes Shape in Virgin Galactic Hangar |author= Alan Boyle |date= 5 November 2014 |publisher= NBC News }}
On 21 May 2015, Unity reached the milestone of bearing the weight of the airframe on its own wheels.{{cite news |url= http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/its-first-virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-2-0-puts-weight-wheels-n363246 |title= Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo 2.0 Puts 'Weight on Wheels' |date= 22 May 2015 |author= Alan Boyle |publisher= NBC News }}
The spaceship was unveiled on 19 February 2016,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/19/us/virgin-galactic-new-space-plane/index.html|title=Virgin Galactic unveils new spaceship|date=19 February 2016|website=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219164726/https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/19/us/virgin-galactic-new-space-plane/index.html|archive-date=19 February 2016|access-date=14 December 2018}} as Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson had projected in November 2015; ground and flight testing commenced thereafter.{{cite news |last1=Plautz |first1=Jessica |last2=Kramer |first2=Miriam |url=http://mashable.com/2015/11/02/virgin-galactic-february-spaceshiptwo/ |title=Richard Branson: Virgin Galactic's next space plane is coming in February |work=Mashable |date=2015-11-02 |access-date=2015-12-03 }}{{cite news |url= http://www.aeronewstv.com/en/industry/research-innovation/3077-virgin-galactic-second-spaceshiptwo-to-be-rolled-out-on-19-february.html |title= Video - Virgin Galactic: second SpaceShipTwo to be rolled out on 19 February |date= 14 January 2016 |publisher= aeronewstv.com }}
VSS Unity was the second SpaceShipTwo to be completed; the first, VSS Enterprise, was destroyed in a crash in late October 2014.
After rollout and unveiling, a phase of testing called "Integrated Vehicle Ground Testing" began on VSS Unity in February 2016.
{{cite web |url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-testing-testing-1-2-3/ |title=Update from Mojave: Testing Testing 1-2-3 |publisher=Virgin Galactic |date=2016-03-10 |access-date=2016-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120901/http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-testing-testing-1-2-3/ |archive-date=2016-03-15 |url-status=dead }}
=Test flight program=
{{see also|VSS Enterprise#Flight test program}}
VSS Unity underwent a test regimen similar to VSS Enterprise and then embarked on testing beyond what Enterprise experienced. The test flights were expected to be fewer, as Enterprise had already tested the design's responses under numerous conditions. For each flight test, the White Knight Two aircraft carried Unity to altitude. Testing began with captive carry flights, in which Unity was not released from its carrier aircraft. Testing then progressed to free-flight glide testing, and continued with powered test flights.{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-switching-back-to-rubber-fuel-for-spaceshiptwo/ |title= SpaceShipTwo Bounces Back to Rubber Fuel |author= Jeff Foust |date= 14 October 2015 |publisher= SpaceNews }}
On 8 September 2016, Virgin Galactic commenced flight testing of Unity with a captive-carry flight. On 1 November 2016, Virgin Galactic conducted another captive-carry flight of Unity but cancelled the glide portion of the flight because of wind speed.{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/34580-virgin-galactic-attempts-spaceshiptwo-glide-test.html |title=Virgin Galactic Postpones 1st Glide Test with New SpaceShipTwo |author=Tariq Malik |date=1 November 2016 |access-date=4 November 2016}} On 3 November and 30 November, additional captive-carry flights took place.{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/23203-virgin-galactic-scrubs-spaceshiptwo-glide-test-again|title=Virgin Galactic Looks to Its Next SpaceShipTwo Flight Test|work=inverse.com|date=4 November 2016 |access-date=5 December 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/11/03/minute-scrub-spaceshiptwo-glide-flight/ |title=Last Minute Scrub of SpaceShipTwo Glide Flight |work=parabolicarc.com |date=4 November 2016 |access-date=5 November 2016 |last=Messier |first=Doug |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405143141/https://parabolicarc.com/2016/11/03/minute-scrub-spaceshiptwo-glide-flight/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/virgin-galactic-conducts-captive-carry-flight-spaceshiptwo/ |title=Virgin Galactic conducts captive carry flight of SpaceShipTwo |date=1 December 2016 |access-date=5 December 2016 |work=spaceflightinsider.com |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404192039/https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/virgin-galactic-conducts-captive-carry-flight-spaceshiptwo/ |url-status=dead }}
In July 2017, Richard Branson suggested that the craft was to begin powered tests at three-week intervals.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-05/branson-targets-space-by-mid-2018-as-virgin-begins-powered-tests |title=Branson Aims Mid-2018 Space Trip as Virgin Resumes Powered Tests |date=5 July 2017 |access-date=8 July 2017 |work=Bloomberg |first=Bruce |last=Einhorn}} In September 2017, CEO George Whitesides suggested that engine testing was complete, and that only a "small number of glide flights" remained before VSS Unity would begin powered test flights.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/virgin-galactic-ceo-company-is-returning-to-powered-flights.html |title=Virgin Galactic is returning to powered flights, CEO says, in a crucial next step for the spaceship company |date=7 September 2017 |access-date=8 September 2017 |work=CNBC |first=Michael |last=Sheetz}} The first powered flight test took place on 5 April 2018 when a 30-second rocket firing accelerated Unity to a speed of Mach 1.87 and an altitude of {{convert|84271|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}.[http://spacenews.com/second-spaceshiptwo-performs-first-powered-test-flight/ Second SpaceShipTwo performs first powered test flight], SpaceNews, Jeff Foust, 5 April 2018{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/First-Supersonic-Powered-Flight-For-Virgins-Unity-230613-1.html|title = First Supersonic, Powered Flight For Virgin's Unity|access-date = 11 April 2018|last = Grady|first = Mary|work = AVweb|date = 10 April 2018}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The first powered test flight of Unity exceeded the altitude of all powered test flights of its predecessor, Enterprise.{{cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/05/virgin-galactic-completes-first-rocket-powered-test-flight-since-2014/ |access-date=11 April 2018 |date=5 April 2018 |title=Virgin Galactic completes first rocket-powered test flight since 2014 |first=Stephen |last=Clark |website=spaceflightnow.com}}
VSS Unity VP-03, the first suborbital spaceflight of VSS Unity was successfully completed on 13 December 2018, surpassing the {{convert|50|mi|km}} altitude considered the boundary of outer space by NASA and the United States Air Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/virgin-galactic-gets-set-spaceshiptwo-flights-aim-space-high/|title=Virgin Galactic gets set for SpaceShipTwo flights that aim for space — but how high?|date=12 December 2018|website=GeekWire|access-date=14 December 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/42725-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-unity-4th-powered-flight-twitter-updates.html|title=Virgin Galactic's 4th Powered Test Flight of SpaceShipTwo Unity in Twitter Posts|first1=Tariq|last1=Malik|website=Space.com|date=13 December 2018 |access-date=14 December 2018}}
Following its February 2019 flight to space, VSS Unity began to undergo modifications including installation of the commercial cabin, and changes to cockpit displays.{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-expects-rapid-conclusion-of-spaceshiptwo-test-flights-after-downtime/ |first=Jeff |last=Foust |date=19 April 2019 |access-date=19 April 2019 |title=Virgin Galactic expects rapid conclusion of SpaceShipTwo test flights after downtime |website=spacenews.com}} Upon completion of these modifications, VSS Unity along with its carrier craft, VMS Eve, were moved to Spaceport America in New Mexico in February 2020.{{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005962/en/ |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic Welcomes SpaceShipTwo Unity to Spaceport America, New Mexico}} After completing two additional glide tests in New Mexico in May and June 2020, VSS Unity underwent final modifications to the commercial cabin{{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200625005869/en/ |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Completes Second Flight from Spaceport America}} and in July 2020, Virgin Galactic first publicly showed the interior of the spacecraft.{{cite web |url=https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-reveals-spaceshiptwo-cabin-interior/ |date=28 July 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic Reveals Spaceshiptwo Cabin Interior |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711035804/https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-reveals-spaceshiptwo-cabin-interior/ |url-status=dead }}
Unity then continued the test flight program in the years 2020–2023. A notable flight occurred in 2021 when Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson flew aboard Unity to space. The final test flight (defined as final flight with only Virgin Galactic personnel onboard) was Virgin Galactic Unity 25 mission on 25 May 2023. The first operational flight of Unity (defined as the first flight flying passengers that were not Virgin Galactic employees) was Galactic 01 on 29 June 2023.
The flights of VSS Unity ended mid-2024 to focus the effort on the next generation Delta-class vehicles, expected for 2025–26.{{cite web |author=Jeff Foust|url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-to-halt-unity-suborbital-flights-by-mid-2024/ |date=8 November 2023 |access-date=11 November 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic to halt Unity suborbital flights by mid-2024 }}
= List of spaceflights by VSS ''Unity'' =
{{notelist}}
=Full list of flights=
{{Excerpt|List of Virgin Galactic launches|VSS Unity flights|subsections=yes}}
See also
{{commons category|VSS Unity}}
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N202VG N202VG Virgin Galactic 1 Flight tracking history log]
{{Virgin Galactic}}
{{Scaled Composites}}
{{The Spaceship Company}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vss Unity}}
Category:Rocket-powered aircraft
Category:Individual spaceplanes
Category:Suborbital spaceflight