Galactic 01 Commercial Spaceflight Service Scheduled by Virgin Galactic
The first commercial spaceflight from Virgin Galactic … ‘Galactic 01’ … is planned to fly between June 27 – June 30, 2023. The second commercial spaceflight, ‘Galactic 02,’ will follow in early August 2023, with monthly spaceflights expected thereafter.
“This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled and truly transformative customer experience.”
Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic’s team and vehicles are ready to fly the Company’s first customers to space, having successfully completed the Unity 25 spaceflight and subsequent routine analysis and vehicle inspections. ‘Galactic 01’, a scientific research mission, will carry three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy to conduct microgravity research. With scientific payloads on board, the spaceflight will showcase the value and power of the unique suborbital science lab that Virgin Galactic offers.
‘Galactic 02’, which will bring Virgin Galactic’s unique experience to private astronauts, is planned for early August, with monthly flights to space beginning thereafter.
Galactic 01 Marks New Phase for Virgin Galactic
“We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products — our scientific research and private astronaut space missions,” said Michael Colglazier, CEO, Virgin Galactic. “This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled and truly transformative customer experience.”
Details regarding the crew and manifest for initial flights will be released in advance of each mission.
Customer flights by Virgin Galactic were approved by the FAA nearly two years ago. The approval followed an extensive review of data gathered from its May 22 test flight and confirmed that the flight performed well against all flight objectives. The May 22 test flight of VMS Eve and VSS Unity was the company’s third crewed spaceflight and the first-ever spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico. The flight achieved a speed of Mach 3 and reached space at an altitude of 55.5 miles.
However, in August of 2021, the spaceline was grounded by the FAA when it was discovered that the spacecraft's flight deviated from its planned trajectory. That inquiry concluded in October, 2021, and the FAA approved a return to flight for the company.
(Source: Virgin Galactic news release. Images from file)