TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. (KRQE/AP) – Virgin Galactic is one more step closer to sending people to space following a successful flight Thursday. The company says their SpaceShipTwo took off from Spaceport America.
Virgin Galactic said they conducted a glide flight meaning they tested the space ship at higher speeds. This allows them to simulate phases of a rocket boost into the outskirts of space. This is the second successful flight for the spaceship.
More than 600 customers from around the world have purchased tickets to be launched into space where they can experience weightlessness and get a view of the Earth below. The suborbital flights are designed to reach an altitude of at least 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) before gliding to a landing.
In addition to a few hundred people who have put down deposits for a ride with Virgin Galactic, more than 9,100 have registered their interest online. Company officials expect the interest to surpass the company’s capacity for flights for a few years.
Related Content:
- Virgin Galactic will help train astronauts for NASA
- Virgin Galactic posts loss, touts future potential revenue
- Virgin Galactic holds test flight for second space flight
- Virgin Galactic using resources to help healthcare workers
- Virgin Galactic shares new video of successful test flight
- New Mexico Lt. Gov. predicts Virgin Galactic’s space tourism launch is close
