Never Miss a Rocket Launch

Get the Space Launch Schedule your way with our apps, content, and supporter benefits.

Get Our Mobile App

View the launch schedule, receive notifications, and watch live video on iOS or Android.

Go Ad-Free

Support us on Patreon for just $3/month and enjoy an ad-free website experience.

Get Social

Receive the daily launch schedule and follow our latest launch coverage on social media.

Virgin Galactic Galactic 02 SpaceShipTwo

Launch Status
Success

Rocket Launch Video Stream

Meet the Astronaut Crew

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Frederick W. Sturckow, Galactic 02 Commander

Frederick W. Sturckow

Astronaut details for Frederick W. Sturckow
Birthday08/11/1961
RoleCommander
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight12/04/1998
Last Flight01/26/2024

Frederick Wilford "Rick" Sturckow is an Engineer, retired United States Marine Corps officer, former NASA astronaut, and commercial spacecraft pilot. Sturckow is a veteran of...

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Kelly Latimer, Galactic 02 Pilot

Kelly Latimer

Astronaut details for Kelly Latimer
RolePilot
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight08/10/2023
Last Flight11/02/2023

Pilot working for Virgin Galactic. First Spaceflight during the Galactic-02 Mission.

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Beth Moses, Galactic 02 Instructor

Beth Moses

Astronaut details for Beth Moses
Birthday05/30/1980
RoleInstructor
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight02/22/2019
Last Flight10/06/2023

Beth Moses is Chief Astronaut Instructor and Interiors Program Manager for Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo program, and is a commercial astronaut. She was the first woman...

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Anastatia Mayers, Galactic 02 Passenger

Anastatia Mayers

Astronaut details for Anastatia Mayers
RolePassenger
NationalityAntigua and Barbuda
First Flight08/10/2023
Last Flight08/10/2023

Passenger on Galactic-02, winners of Space for Humanity draw.

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Jon Goodwin, Galactic 02 Passenger

Jon Goodwin

Astronaut details for Jon Goodwin
Birthday06/19/1943
RolePassenger
NationalityUnited Kingdom
First Flight08/10/2023
Last Flight08/10/2023

Passenger on Virgins Galactic "Galactic-02" Mission

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Keisha Schahaff, Galactic 02 Passenger

Keisha Schahaff

Astronaut details for Keisha Schahaff
RolePassenger
NationalityAntigua and Barbuda
First Flight08/10/2023
Last Flight08/10/2023

Passenger on Galactic-02, winners of Space for Humanity draw.

About the Galactic 02 Mission

Mission details for Galactic 02
TypeTourism
OrbitSuborbital

Second commercial Virgin Galactic mission.

Launch Pad & Location

Spaceport America

Air launch to Suborbital flight

Launch statistics for Spaceport America at Air launch to Suborbital flight
Launches14
Total Launches86

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Rocket

The Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo (SS2) is an air-launched suborbital spaceplane type designed for space tourism. It is manufactured by The Spaceship Company, a California-based company owned by Virgin Galactic.

Rocket specifications for Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo
Length18.0 m
Diameter8.2 m
Stages1
Launch Mass9.0 T
Takeoff Thrust310.0 kN
Apogee110.0 km
Maiden Flight10/10/2010

Learn more about the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Rocket

Mission Spacecraft

VSS Unity

VSS Unity (N202VG) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a Virgin Galactic Spaceplane designed for SpaceShipTwo is carried to its launch altitude by a Scaled Composites White Knight Two, before being released to fly on into the upper atmosphere powered by its rocket engine. It then glides back to Earth and performs a conventional runway landing. and traveled to Suborbital.

VSS Unity, previously referred to as VSS Voyager, is a SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered crewed spaceplane. It is the second SpaceShipTwo to be built and will be used as part of the Virgin Galactic fleet. The Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo is an air-launched suborbital spaceplane type designed for space tourism. It is manufactured by The Spaceship Company, a California-based company owned by Virgin Galactic. Short suborbital flights

Spacecraft details for VSS Unity
TypeSpaceplane
AgencyVirgin Galactic
Serial NumberN202VG
StatusRetired
DestinationSuborbital
Maiden Flight10/10/2010
Mission End8/10/2023
Flights30
Crew Capacity8
Human RatedYes
Height18.0 m
Diameter8.2 m

About Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is an American spaceflight company within the Virgin Group. It is developing commercial spacecraft and aims to provide suborbital spaceflights to space tourists. Virgin Galactic's suborbital spacecraft are air launched from beneath a carrier airplane known as White Knight Two.

Launch statistics for Virgin Galactic
Total Launches67
Successful62
Failed5
Pending1
Consecutive Success11

Learn more about Virgin Galactic

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 launch scheduled?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 launch was scheduled for:
.

Where can I watch the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 launch video?

You can watch the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.

Where did the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 mission launch from?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket launched from Spaceport America at Air launch to Suborbital flight.

What rocket was used for the Galactic 02 mission?

The Galactic 02 mission launched aboard a Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket. The Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo (SS2) is an air-launched suborbital spaceplane type designed for space tourism. It is manufactured by The Spaceship Company, a California-based company owned by Virgin Galactic. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.

What weather conditions could have delayed the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 launch?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.

How can I get updates if the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 02 launch was delayed?

This page was updated in real-time with the latest Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Galactic 02 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Virgin Galactic live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.

Last Updated

Last Updated:

  • Successful flight and landing of VSS Unity

  • Release of VSS Unity

  • Adjusting T-0

  • Updating drop time per countdown on stream

  • Livestream has started

  • NET 15:00 UTC per livestream start time

  • GO for launch.

  • Updated T-0

  • Targeting August 10

  • Adding launch NET early August

guest
0 Comments