virgin galactic to fly first passengers to space this june with monthly commercial flights after

Virgin galactic to publicly open commercial spaceflights

After a series of successful test flights to space, Virgin Galactic has finally decided to start its commercial flights from Earth to space, beginning June 27th, 2023. There will be two spaceflight missions first before Virgin Galactic opens its monthly commercial flights around August 2023. Its first-ever commercial spaceflight named Galactic 01 is planned to fly between June 27th to 30th, 2023 using Virgin Galactic’s own space-tailored airplanes. Inside Galactic 01, Virgin Galactic will bring three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy to conduct microgravity research and further the studies and findings on commercial spaceflights.

Right after the flight of Galactic 01, Virgin Galactic will also send out Galactic 02 in early August 2023 for commercial spaceflight, and the company is hopeful that after these couple of journeys, it will be able to conduct monthly spaceflights for interested individuals. With scientific payloads on board, the spaceflight aims to showcase the value and power of the suborbital science lab that Virgin Galactic offers. Virgin Galactic will host live streams for Galactic 01 and Galactic 02 missions on its website for those who want to watch the spaceplanes fly.

header: view from Space on Virgin Galactic’s First Spaceflight | images and video stills courtesy of Virgin Galactic

Spaceflight missions before commercial flying

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. ‘To date, less than 700 people have traveled to space. Virgin Galactic is about to change that with the official opening of commercial spaceflight service,’ states Virgin Galactic. In an Instagram post, the airspace company confirms that Galactic 01 is dedicated to scientific research missions while Galactic 02 in August 2023 is set for its private astronaut mission.

These two missions will seem to ride Spaceship VSS Unity which Virgin Galactic has already used in its previous test flights. The spaceplane comprises the ‘main’ plane which carries a secondary passenger plane. As they both fly up to space, the main plane drops the passenger plane as they reach a certain altitude, continuing the spaceflight where the plane roams around outside the Earth and affords its passengers a view of the planet from above (quite literally).

‘We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products – our scientific research and private astronaut space missions. 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,’ says Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic.

video still from ‘Virgin Galactic’s First Commercial Spaceflights’