Virgin Galactic: Latest SpaceShipTwo News, Photos and Video

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Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane fires its rocket engine to launch two pilots and four passengers to suborbital space and back on the Galactic 07 mission on June 8, 2024.

Virgin Galactic launches VSS Unity space plane on final suborbital spaceflight with crew of 6 (photos, video)

By Meredith Garofalo last updated

Virgin Galactic launched its seventh commercial spaceflight mission on June 8 during the final flight of its VSS Unity suborbital spaceplane.

Private Spaceflight
Two people in spacesuits walk the surface of a rust colored planet. The astronaut in the foreground looks at something far away, in wonder. The astronaut to the right and slight behind leans on a rock formation and holds a hammer. A many-wheeled rover is parked behind them and in the distance, some habitat modules.

This time, we take it from no one: Why opening the High Frontier of space can be different (op-ed)

By Rick Tumlinson published

The coming settlement of the High Frontier doesn’t have to be a repeat of the violent conquests and colonization of history. We will not take space from anyone, and we can give it to everyone.

Human Spaceflight
a space plane lights its rocket motor in space, with the curve of earth in the background.

Virgin Galactic to launch 7th commercial spaceflight on June 8

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic is targeting June 8 for its seventh commercial spaceflight, a suborbital jaunt called, fittingly enough, Galactic 07.

Human Spaceflight
two white aircraft joined together as one at the wing fly through a blue sky

Boeing files lawsuit against Virgin Galactic over development of new mothership aircraft

By Andrew Jones published

Boeing and Aurora Flight Sciences are suing Virgin Galactic for unpaid work and trade secrets related to a new mothership aircraft for Virgin Galactic’s next-generation space planes.

Private Spaceflight
11 people in flight suits wave to the camera aboard the white-walled international space station.

20 people in space! Humanity quietly tied a record last month

By Mike Wall published

For a few minutes on Jan. 26, 20 people were in space at the same time, tying a record set just last May.

Human Spaceflight
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane lights its rocket motor during the Galactic 06 suborbital mission, which launched on Jan. 26, 2024.

Virgin Galactic mothership loses alignment pin during space plane launch, FAA investigating

By Brett Tingley published

Virgin Galactic informed the FAA that the mothership of its space plane VSS Unity lost a piece of hardware on its most recent suborbital flight.

Human Spaceflight
a space plane lights its rocket motor in space, with the curve of earth in the background.

Virgin Galactic launches 1st Ukrainian woman to space  —  and 3 others  —  on Galactic 06 suborbital flight (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

Virgin Galactic launched its sixth commercial mission today (Jan. 26), sending four passengers to suborbital space and back.

Human Spaceflight
the curve of earth against the blackness of space, with part of a silvery spacecraft in the foreground.

Virgin Galactic may launch 6th commercial spaceflight this week

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic's sixth commercial spaceflight may be just around the corner. The launch window for the Galactic 06 mission opens on Friday (Jan. 26).

Human Spaceflight
a massive plume of fire shoots out of a rocket engine

The top 10 spaceflight stories of 2023

By Josh Dinner published

Last year was a very busy one in the final frontier. Here's a rundown of some highlights, from Starship's debut to NASA's first asteroid sample-return.

Solar System
the curve of earth against the blackness of space, with part of a silvery spacecraft in the foreground.

Virgin Galactic to launch 6th commercial spaceflight on Jan. 26

By Elizabeth Howell published

Virgin Galactic plans to launch its sixth operational spaceflight on Jan. 26, 2024 with four passengers, who are yet to be named.

Human Spaceflight
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