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Virgin Galactic Galactic 05 SpaceShipTwo

Launch Status
Success

Rocket Launch Video Stream

Meet the Astronaut Crew

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Michael Masucci, Galactic 05 Commander

Michael Masucci

Astronaut details for Michael Masucci
RoleCommander
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 Kelly Latimer, Galactic 05 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 Colin Bennett, Galactic 05 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...

International Institute for Aeronautical Sciences Astronaut Kellie Gerardi, Galactic 05 Passenger

Kellie Gerardi

Astronaut details for Kellie Gerardi
Birthday02/16/1989
RolePassenger
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight11/02/2023
Last Flight11/02/2023

Kellie Gerardi is an American aerospace, defense, and technology professional and a popular science communicator.

Virgin Galactic Astronaut Ketty Maisonrouge, Galactic 05 Passenger

Ketty Maisonrouge

Astronaut details for Ketty Maisonrouge
RolePassenger
NationalityItaly
First Flight11/02/2023
Last Flight11/02/2023

Passenger on Galactic 05.

NASA Astronaut Sol Alan Stern, Galactic 05 Passenger

Sol Alan Stern

Astronaut details for Sol Alan Stern
Birthday11/22/1957
RolePassenger
NationalityUnited States of America
First Flight11/02/2023
Last Flight11/02/2023

Sol Alan Stern is an American engineer and planetary scientist. He is the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Chief...

About the Galactic 05 Mission

Mission details for Galactic 05
TypeTourism
OrbitSuborbital

Fifth 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 End11/2/2023
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 05 launch scheduled?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 05 launch was scheduled for:
.

Where can I watch the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 05 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 05 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 05 mission?

The Galactic 05 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 05 launch?

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Galactic 05 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 05 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 05 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:

  • SS2 has landed.

  • SS2 release.

  • Livestream has started

  • Added launch window. (date confirmed per https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1719094728975663151)

  • Added launch.

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