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Virgin Galactic Galactic 03 SpaceShipTwo

Launch Status
Success

Rocket Launch Video Streams

Meet the Astronaut Crew

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Nicola Pecile, Galactic 03 Commander

Nicola Pecile

Astronaut details for Nicola Pecile
Birthday03/11/1973
RoleCommander
NationalityItaly
First Flight04/26/2023
Last Flight06/08/2024

Former fighter pilot and experimental test pilot for the Italian Air Force, now pilot at Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Michael Masucci, Galactic 03 Pilot

Michael Masucci

Astronaut details for Michael Masucci
RolePilot
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight12/11/2013
Last Flight11/02/2023

Mike “Sooch” Masucci was a former U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and U2 test pilot.

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Colin Bennett, Galactic 03 Instructor

Colin Bennett

Astronaut details for Colin Bennett
RoleInstructor
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight07/11/2021
Last Flight11/02/2023

Colin Bennett is an American engineer who worked at Virgin Atlantic Airways before joining Virgin Galactic in 2015 where he now acts as Lead Astronaut...

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Adrian Reynard, Galactic 03 Passenger

Adrian Reynard

Astronaut details for Adrian Reynard
Birthday03/23/1951
RolePassenger
NationalityUnited Kingdom
First Flight09/08/2023
Last Flight09/08/2023

Adrian John Reynard is the founder of Reynard Motorsport, which was a successful racing car manufacturer before it went bankrupt in 2002.

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Ken Baxter, Galactic 03 Passenger

Ken Baxter

Astronaut details for Ken Baxter
Birthday05/15/1949
RolePassenger
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight09/08/2023
Last Flight09/08/2023

Ken "Rocket Man" Baxter (born May 15, 1949) is a real estate investor who purchased the first ticket sold to a civilian to be a...

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Timothy Nash, Galactic 03 Passenger

Timothy Nash

Astronaut details for Timothy Nash
RolePassenger
NationalityUnited Kingdom
First Flight09/08/2023
Last Flight09/08/2023

Passenger on Virgin Galactic 03 launch

About the Galactic 03 Mission

Mission details for Galactic 03
TypeTourism
OrbitSuborbital

Third 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 End9/8/2023
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 03 launch scheduled?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 03 launch was scheduled for:
.

Where can I watch the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 03 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 03 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 03 mission?

The Galactic 03 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 03 launch?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 03 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 03 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 03 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 completion of the flight

  • Updated take-off time.

  • GO for launch per air space closure notices.

  • Adding launch NET September 8

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