Richard Branson will fly into space aboard Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity. Such is the sophistication of spaceships.
VSS Unity is the name used by the second generation SpaceShipTwo. The previous generation called VSS Enterprise crashed in mid-air during a test flight in 2014.
This is the interior of the VSS Unity cabin that will be occupied by Virgin Galactic passengers. Branson and the rest of the crew will sit in one of these seats.
VSS Unity can accommodate up to eight people (two pilots and six passengers). Passengers can enjoy the view of outer space and the curvature of the Earth through the provided windows.
Branson and his crew will fly from Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA on July 11 at 9am local time. Photo: Galactic Virgin
The flight is estimated to last 90 minutes from takeoff to landing and the entire process will be broadcast live.
Branson (third from right) with the crew and pilot of the VSS Unity. They are (from left): pilot Dave Mackay, Chief Operations Engineer Coplin Bennet, Chief Instructor Astronaut Beth Moses, Vice President of Government Affairs and Research Operations Sirisha Bandla, and pilot Michael Masucci.
Chief Instructor Astronaut Beth Moses during a test flight of VSS Unity in 2019. This is the first time VSS Unity has carried passengers on its flight.
Before reaching space, VSS Unity will be carried into the air by the carrier VMS Eve. After reaching an altitude of 50,000 feet, VMS Eve will release VSS Unity.
After separating from VMS Eve, VSS Unity will start its rocket engine and fly at a speed of 4,000 km / h.
In 90 seconds, VSS Unity managed to reach an altitude of 80 km. NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration classify this altitude as outer space.
Here, passengers can feel the sensation of floating for four minutes and enjoy the view of the Earth below through the available windows. Once satisfied floating in space, all passengers must return to their seats and prepare to return to Earth. Virgin
To start the landing process, the VSS Unity pilot will activate the 'feathering' mechanism which will change the position of the two tails of the aircraft into an upright position.
After re-entry, VSS Unity will fly and land at the Virgin Galactic facility. You can buy this experience of flying into space for USD 250,000.
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