Virgin Galactic VSS Unity 24 SpaceShipTwo
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Nicola Pecile
| Birthday | 03/11/1973 |
|---|---|
| Role | Pilot |
| Nationality | Italy |
| First Flight | 04/26/2023 |
| Last Flight | 06/08/2024 |
Former fighter pilot and experimental test pilot for the Italian Air Force, now pilot at Virgin Galactic.
Frederick W. Sturckow
| Birthday | 08/11/1961 |
|---|---|
| Role | Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 12/04/1998 |
| Last Flight | 01/26/2024 |
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...
About the VSS Unity 24 Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Suborbital |
Unpowered glide test
Launch Pad & Location
Spaceport America
Air launch to Suborbital flight
| Launches | 14 |
|---|---|
| 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 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
| Type | Spaceplane |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virgin Galactic |
| Serial Number | N202VG |
| Status | Retired |
| Destination | Suborbital |
| Maiden Flight | 10/10/2010 |
| Mission End | 4/26/2023 |
| Flights | 30 |
| 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 Unity 24 launch scheduled?
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity 24 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity 24 mission launch from?
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket launched from Spaceport America at Air launch to Suborbital flight.
What rocket was used for the VSS Unity 24 mission?
The VSS Unity 24 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 Unity 24 launch?
The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity 24 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 Unity 24 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 Unity 24 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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