VSS Enterprise spaceship makes first crewed flight

SpaceShipTwo (VSS Enterprise) made its first crewed flight on 15 July at Mojave Air and Spaceport, California.
SpaceShipTwo (VSS Enterprise) made its first crewed flight on 15 July at Mojave Air and Spaceport, California.

The spaceship remained attached to the VMS Eve (WhiteNightTwo) launch ship for the duration of the flight and numerous combined vehicle systems tests were conducted. Both craft are constructed using carbon composite materials using technology developed by Scaled Composites, Mojave, California.

In addition and for the first time, the two crew members on board VSS Enterprise evaluated all of the spaceship’s systems and functions in the air.

The flight lasted 6 hours and 12 minutes and represents another stage in Virgin Galactic’s quest to develop the world’s first commercial 'space tourism' service. Its operations will be based at Spaceport America in New Mexico.