SpaceShipTwo
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo takes a step closer to space
Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo set new speed and altitude records on its third powered test flight July 26, bringing the suborbital vehicle one step closer to reaching space.
Second SpaceShipTwo makes second powered test flight
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane performed a successful test flight May 29, bringing the company one step closer to realizing its long-delayed dreams of space tourism and research flights.
Second SpaceShipTwo performs first powered test flight
Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle successfully performed its first powered flight April 5, the first such test flight since a fatal crash nearly three and a half years ago.
SpaceShipTwo performs glide flight in advance of powered tests
Virgin Galactic conducted its first test flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle in more than five months Jan. 11 as the company prepares to begin powered test flights of the vehicle.
Virgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agency
Virgin Galactic will carry out a dedicated research flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane for the Italian space agency ASI, with an Italian payload specialist on board, under an agreement announced Dec. 18.
Virgin Galactic nearing powered SpaceShipTwo test flights
The chief executive of Virgin Galactic said Sept. 7 that the company’s second suborbital spaceplane was “at the edge” of beginning powered test flights, after at least one more glide flight.
Virgin Galactic carries out “dry run” for powered SpaceShipTwo flights
Virgin Galactic performed the latest glide flight of its second SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane Aug. 4, calling it a “dry run” for upcoming powered test flights.
Suborbital space race? Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin will get there when they get there
Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are de facto competitors in an undeclared race to be the first to send private passengers into suborbital space, but both billionaire-led ventures are prioritizing safety over urgency.
Virgin Galactic nears next phase of SpaceShipTwo test program
Virgin Galactic performed another glide flight of SpaceShipTwo June 1 as the company suggested it was nearing a new phase in the test program of the suborbital spaceplane.
SpaceShipTwo tests feather system on latest glide flight
Virgin Galactic said May 1 it successfully tested the system on its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle that permits a safe reentry on the vehicle’s latest unpowered test flight.
Branson noncommittal about SpaceShipTwo flight schedule
Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson said April 28 he remained optimistic that the company’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle will carry him and other customers into space, but declined to give a specific schedule about when those flights might begin.
Virgin Galactic resumes SpaceShipTwo testing
Virgin Galactic resumed flight tests of its second SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane Feb. 24 after a two-month hiatus.
Virgin Galactic ends 2016 with second SpaceShipTwo glide flight
Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane performed its second free flight Dec. 22 as the company prepares to enter a critical year in the vehicle’s long-delayed development.
Second SpaceShipTwo performs first glide flight
Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo performed its first free flight Dec. 3, a glide test that begins the next phase in testing of the commercial suborbital spaceplane.
Virgin Galactic set to begin SpaceShipTwo glide flights
Virgin Galactic is planning to begin glide flight tests of its second SpaceShipTwo next Tuesday, almost exactly two years after a fatal test flight of its first suborbital spaceplane.
Second SpaceShipTwo completes first test flight
Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane made its first flight Sept. 8 as the company takes another step to recover from a fatal 2014 crash.
