SpaceShipTwo

Blue Origin preparing for next New Shepard flight
Blue Origin is gearing up for the next test flight of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle as soon as Jan. 14.

Virgin Galactic aborts SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceflight
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo aborted an attempted suborbital spaceflight Dec. 12 from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico.

Virgin Galactic prepares for low-key first spaceflight from New Mexico
When Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo takes to the skies above New Mexico later this month, it will do so without the crowds and publicity once expected for the historic flight.

Virgin Galactic delays SpaceShipTwo test flight because of pandemic
Virgin Galactic is postponing a test flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle that was scheduled for this week after the state of New Mexico reinstated a stay-at-home order in response to a surge of COVID-19 cases.

Virgin Galactic prepares to transition to operations
Virgin Galactic executives said Nov. 5 that the company is ready to begin a final series of test flights of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle as the company attempts to move into commercial operations in 2021.

NASA selects first human-tended suborbital research payload
NASA has selected its first human-tended commercial suborbital research payload, clearing the way for the biggest advocate of such research to fly on a future Virgin Galactic mission.

Virgin Galactic delays SpaceShipTwo commercial flights to 2021
Virgin Galactic has pushed the beginning of commercial flights of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle to no earlier than the first quarter of 2021 while announcing plans to sell additional stock to raise money.

Virgin Galactic unveils SpaceShipTwo cabin as it prepares for commercial flights
Virgin Galactic showed off the interior of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane July 28 as the company prepares to wrap up the campaign of test flights of the vehicle and begin commercial operations.

SpaceShipTwo makes second glide flight at Spaceport America
Virgin Galactic conducted its second test flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle from its New Mexico spaceport June 25 and now says it is ready to resume powered flights of the spacecraft.

NASA takes initial steps to fly personnel on commercial suborbital vehicles
NASA is taking the first steps in a process that could lead to astronauts and other agency personnel flying on commercial suborbital vehicles by establishing a program office and seeking input from industry.

Virgin Galactic says full effect of pandemic on its business still unknown
Virgin Galactic executives said May 5 that the suborbital spaceflight company has taken measures to resume regular operations during the coronavirus pandemic, but said they didn’t yet know its overall impact on the business.

SpaceShipTwo makes first flight from Spaceport America
Virgin Galactic conducted the first test flight of SpaceShipTwo from its New Mexico spaceport May 1 as the company edges closer to finally beginning commercial flights of the suborbital spaceplane.

Virgin Galactic hints at more delays for start of SpaceShipTwo commercial flights
Virgin Galactic executives suggested Feb. 25 that the beginning of commercial flights of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle might slip again, even as the company starts planning to resume ticket sales.

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo arrives in New Mexico
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane arrived at the company’s spaceport in New Mexico Feb. 13, ready for a final series of test flights before the company starts commercial operations.

Virgin Galactic continues work on fleet of SpaceShipTwo vehicles
Virgin Galactic is making progress in the development of its next SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane, although the company is saying little about when its existing SpaceShipTwo will be ready to resume test flights.