Virgin Galactic Completes First Human Spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico
LAS CRUCES, N.M. May 22, 2021 (Virgin Galactic PR) — Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“The Company or Virgin Galactic”) today completed its third spaceflight and the first ever spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico. Today’s flight sees New Mexico become the third US state to launch humans into space.
VSS Unity achieved a speed of Mach 3 after being released from the mothership, VMS Eve, and reached space, at an altitude of 55.45 miles before gliding smoothly to a runway landing at Spaceport America.
On VSS Unity’s flight deck were CJ Sturckow and Dave Mackay, while Kelly Latimer and Michael Masucci piloted VMS Eve. CJ, who flew as pilot-in-command, becomes the first person ever to have flown to space from three different states. The crew experienced extraordinary views of the bright, blue-rimmed curvature of the earth against the blackness of space. New Mexico’s White Sands National Park sparkled brilliantly below. Their experience today gives Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut customers a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic, said: “Today’s flight showcased the inherent elegance and safety of our spaceflight system, while marking a major step forward for both Virgin Galactic and human spaceflight in New Mexico. Space travel is a bold and adventurous endeavor, and I am incredibly proud of our talented team for making the dream of private space travel a reality. We will immediately begin processing the data gained from this successful test flight, and we look forward to sharing news on our next planned milestone.”
Virgin Galactic fulfilled a number of test objectives during the flight, including:
- Carried revenue-generating scientific research experiments as part of NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program.
- Collected data to be used for the final two verification reports that are required as part of the current FAA commercial reusable spacecraft operator’s license.
- Tested the spaceship’s upgraded horizontal stabilizers and flight controls and validated EMI reductions.
Following the flight, and in line with normal procedures, Virgin Galactic will conduct a review of all test data gathered and thoroughly inspect the spaceship and mothership. Once the team confirms the results, the Company plans to proceed to the next flight test milestone.
To celebrate the first human spaceflight from New Mexico, the Zia Sun Symbol of New Mexico’s state flag was placed prominently on the exterior of the Spaceship. In addition, we flew green chile seeds, which are synonymous with the state’s rich agricultural and culinary history.
“Fifteen years ago, New Mexico embarked on a journey to create the world’s first commercial spaceport,’’ said Sir Richard Branson. ‘’Today, we launched the first human spaceflight from that very same place, marking an important milestone for both Virgin Galactic and New Mexico. I am proud of the team for their hard work and grateful to the people of New Mexico who have been unwavering in their commitment for commercial spaceflight from day one. Their belief and support have made today’s historic achievement possible.”
Governor Lujan Grisham said: “After so many years and so much hard work, New Mexico has finally reached the stars. Our state’s scientific legacy has been honored by this important achievement, one that took guts and faith and an unwavering belief in what New Mexico can achieve — and indeed is destined to achieve. I can’t wait to see what comes next. We are on the cutting edge, the forefront of innovation, and I plan to do everything in my power to keep us there, taking full advantage of our robust economic and scientific potential. On behalf of proud New Mexicans everywhere, I’m incredibly grateful to so many dedicated and visionary collaborators in this effort, not least Sir Richard Branson and former Governor Bill Richardson, the entire Virgin Galactic team and Spaceport team who made possible this long-awaited day.”
“The Spaceport has always been about the future of New Mexico,” said former Governor Bill Richardson. “Our state and our people have a long track record of inspiring innovation and being catalysts for national advances in science and technology. So many of New Mexico’s children will benefit from both the educational opportunities and the career opportunities that the space industry offers. I want to congratulate the team at Virgin Galactic for this historic achievement today. This dream began with a handshake between Sir Richard Branson and me, and I’ll always be grateful to him for recognizing that New Mexico can and should be the base for the space industry. I want to recognize Rick Homans, who was critical in the creation of the Spaceport. And thank you to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for your dedication to the future of New Mexico and to the Spaceport.”
“The Zia Sun Symbol is one of our most sacred symbols, central to the Pueblo of Zia,” said Governor Frederick Medina. “We are pleased that Virgin Galactic reached out to our Pueblo for permission to utilize this iconic symbol of the state of New Mexico. It is an honor to work with Virgin Galactic and to know that a part of Zia Pueblo will be traveling to space.”
This spaceflight was conducted under strict COVID-19 protocols.
22 responses to “Virgin Galactic Completes First Human Spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico”
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First Human Spaceflight
Misleanding title, it didn’t reach internationally recognized boundary of space. Talk to FAI if you want to redefine the standards
Who put those clowns in charge of anything?
It’s got to do with the outcome of the WW1, look it up
An early 20th century Swiss version of Cars and Coffee, with a penchant for irrational love of base-10 units, has nothing to do with the United States.
It was actually formed in 1905 on the recommendation of the Olympic Committee to keep track of records in air sports. Since they were first they became the de facto record keeper for advances in aeronautical science.
However VG has decided to go with the standard the FAA uses (50 miles) for issuing civilian astronaut wings which in turn is based on the standard USAF/NASA follows for Astronaut wings. Lacking a treaty defining space it has as much legal standing as the FAI standard.
Given by this “akshually” response, i believe the little joke went over the heads
well done now lets go
Good job! Finally.
Hopefully they got that electromagnetic interference issue straightened out.
Unfortunately, if I remember correctly, there’s supposed to be a considerable stand down after this flight to do an overhaul on the carrier plane, among other things. Anyway, hopefully they’re finally on a good trajectory towards safe operations before too long
It was a beautiful flight on a perfect day. There wasn’t much of an audience, only 6 cars beside me at the turnoff and two state police cruisers for security.
how fortunate you were
Thanks! Yes, the timing was just right. It launched right overhead and I could see the flame in my old 8 X 35 Navy binoculars. It was a much better viewing angle than the one for SpaceshipOne, Since I also attended a Shuttle Launch years ago (Atlantis 1995) I have seen astronauts fly into space from three states.
One of them inland too! Thanks for the report.
Yes, although Mojave is an inland spaceport in a coastal state.
Incidentally the first rocket to reach space from a United States launch site was a WAC Corporal boosted by a captured A-4 (Bumper WAC) from WSMR on May 13, 1948 (127 kilometers) which was why all the old science fiction movies showed astronauts going to space from New Mexico’s WSMR. President Truman didn’t sign the legislation creating the Joint Long Range Proving Ground at Cape Canaveral until May 11, 1949, almost a year later as it became clear more room was going to be needed as larger rockets were built.
Perhaps the Mexican’s lobbied for the Canaveral long range proving ground? If memory serves the Bumper series launched from both NM and FL.
Yes, the last Bumper WAC was the first test flight from Florida. Other than needing a longer area to develop rockets I suspect it was also the USAF wanting its own range since WSMR was and is still run by the U.S. Army. Cape Canaveral was managed from the new Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The Kármán line is set at what NOAA calls “an imaginary boundary” that’s 62 miles up, or roughly a hundred kilometers above sea level. The VG Spaceship failed to reach it – only 55.45 miles.
The US military & NASA definition is 50 miles, therefore some X-15 pilots got astronaut wings.
https://www.spaceline.org/u…
Great to see it worked but it did not reach the stars as Bill Richardson said. “After so many years and so much hard work, New Mexico has finally reached the stars. Isn’t he a former Democrat governor? I thought Democrats were smarter than that.
They all at least think they are – and they’re not at all bashful about telling you so.
Take me out to the black,
Tell them I ain’t comin back.
Burn the land and boil the sea,
You can’t take the sky from me….
Never mind. Stars located 55.45 miles up are going to take the sky after they burn everything else on Earth. The rhetoric from Virgin Galactic’s hype factory has always been excessive.
Heh.
So, what’s going on with the altitude? Are we looking on another underperformance like on SS1 before they changed to a larger engine (engine casing contains the fuel, so its size is proportional to the fuel load)? Or was this done on purpose?