spacetoday.net: Virgin Galactic preparing for SpaceShipTwo test flights

Virgin Galactic preparing for SpaceShipTwo test flights

Posted: Sat, Nov 7, 2020, 7:45 AM ET (1245 GMT)
SpaceShipTwo on 2019 February 22 test flight (Virgin Galactic)

Virgin Galactic says it's entering the final phase of the flight test program for its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle. The company said Thursday the next powered flight test of the vehicle is scheduled for Nov. 19-23 from Spaceport America in New Mexico, carrying two pilots and some NASA research payloads. A second flight, with four company employees accompanying the two pilots, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021, followed by another late in the first quarter with company founder Richard Branson on board. Virgin plans to resume ticket sales after Branson's flight, but did not disclose what prices it would charge. The company also plans to roll out its next SpaceShipTwo vehicle in the first quarter.