Virgin Galactic VSS Enterprise GF27 SpaceShipTwo
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Michael Masucci
| Role | Pilot |
|---|---|
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 12/11/2013 |
| Last Flight | 11/02/2023 |
Mike “Sooch” Masucci was a former U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and U2 test pilot.
Mark Stucky
| Birthday | 11/09/1958 |
|---|---|
| Role | Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 10/28/2010 |
| Last Flight | 06/25/2020 |
Mark P. "Forger" Stucky was an American test pilot and commercial astronaut for Virgin Galactic. He left the company in July 2021.
About the VSS Enterprise GF27 Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Suborbital |
Free glide test flight of VSS Enterprise.
Launch Pad & Location
Mojave Air and Space Port
Air launch to Suborbital flight
| Launches | 53 |
|---|---|
| Total Launches | 86 |
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.
| Length | 18.0 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 8.2 m |
| Stages | 1 |
| Launch Mass | 9.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 310.0 kN |
| Apogee | 110.0 km |
| Maiden Flight | 10/10/2010 |
Mission Spacecraft
VSS Enterprise
VSS Enterprise (N339SS) 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 Enterprise was the first SpaceShipTwo (SS2) spaceplane, built by Scaled Composites for Virgin Galactic. As of 2004, it was planned to be the first of five commercial suborbital SS2 spacecraft planned by Virgin Galactic. Enterprise was destroyed during a powered test flight on 31 October 2014, killing one pilot, Michael Alsbury, and seriously injuring another, Peter Siebold. An investigation revealed the accident was caused by premature deployment of the "feathering" system, the ship's descent device; the NTSB also faulted the spacecraft's design for lacking fail-safe mechanisms that could have deterred or prevented early deployment. 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
| Type | Spaceplane |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virgin Galactic |
| Serial Number | N339SS |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Destination | Suborbital |
| Maiden Flight | 10/10/2010 |
| Mission End | 12/11/2013 |
| Flights | 37 |
| Crew Capacity | 8 |
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Height | 18.0 m |
| Diameter | 8.2 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.
| Total Launches | 67 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 62 |
| Failed | 5 |
| Pending | 1 |
| Consecutive Success | 11 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise GF27 launch scheduled?
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise GF27 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise GF27 mission launch from?
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket launched from Mojave Air and Space Port at Air launch to Suborbital flight.
What rocket was used for the VSS Enterprise GF27 mission?
The VSS Enterprise GF27 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 VSS Enterprise GF27 launch?
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise GF27 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 VSS Enterprise GF27 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 VSS Enterprise GF27 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.
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