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from the down-to-earth-spaceship-testing dept.
On 3 December, Virgin Galactic made its first tentative return to space flight.
Virgin Galactic's new spaceship has made a successful first glide flight, a key step after a deadly crash of its predecessor two years ago, the spaceflight company said on Saturday.
The new SpaceShipTwo, dubbed VSS Unity, was hoisted aloft by carrier airplane WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve from the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, the company said on Twitter.
Released from the mothership, VSS Unity flew home to Earth on its own, according to the company owned by British billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson.
"VSS Unity has landed. Vehicle and crew are back safe and sound after a successful first glide test flight," Virgin Galactic tweeted at #SpaceShipTwo.
Unity's weight was kept light for the first flight, Virgin Galactic said. Its success now opens a phase of tougher flight testing before the spacecraft's hybrid rocket motor will be fired in flight.
(Score: 2) by fishybell on Monday December 05 2016, @03:47PM
I'm glad there are people willing to pay to risk their lives to further this industry. I personally, will wait until it's cheaper, not just because the cost is currently prohibitive, but because of the risk. When it's cheaper, it will be more normalized, and likely substantially safer. I expect there to be a point in the future where space travel is as safe as air travel.
Of the less than 600 [wikipedia.org] people who have gone to space or attempted, about 30 have died in training or during a mission. Not great odds so far.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by bob_super on Monday December 05 2016, @07:23PM
> When it's cheaper, it will be more normalized, and likely substantially safer.
I get your point, but I ain't getting the $99.95 Lasik special at the mall.