Virgin Galactic, which aims to be the world’s first commercial spaceline, is owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s aabar Investments PJS.
The rocket-powered test, conducted by teams from Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic, marks Virgin Galactic’s entrance into the final phase of vehicle testing prior to commercial service from Spaceport America in New Mexico.
| The rocket motor ignition went as planned, with the expected burn duration, good engine performance and solid vehicle handling qualities throughout. The successful outcome of this test marks a pivotal point for our program. We will now embark on a handful of similar powered flight tests, and then make our first test flight to space. |
| George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic President & CEO |
During the test on 29 April SS2 took off from Mojave Air and Space Port mated to the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. Piloting SS2 were Mark Stucky and Mike Alsbury, test pilots for Scaled Composites, which built SS2 for Virgin Galactic. Upon reaching 47,000 ft altitude and approximately 45 minutes into the flight, SS2 was released from WK2. After cross-checking data and verifying stable control, the pilots triggered ignition of the rocket motor. At this point, SS2 was propelled forward and upward to a maximum altitude of 55,000 ft.
The entire engine burn lasted 16 seconds, as planned. During this time, SS2 went supersonic, achieving Mach 1.2.
The entire rocket-powered flight test lasted just over 10 minutes, culminating in a smooth landing for SS2 in Mojave at approximately 8 am local time.
In the coming months, the Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites test team will expand the spaceship’s powered flight envelope. The companies anticipate the first full space flight will take place before the end of 2013.
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