Richard Branson’s space tourism company Virgin Galactic is poised for a key test flight of its two-part launch vehicle, a step that could move it closer to offering regular trips to the edge of space for the ultimate sightseeing tour.
With the launch delayed for more than a month because of COVID-19 restrictions, the company will have from December 11th through the 24th to complete the mission – the first launched from its New Mexico launch site at Spaceport America.
On the task list will be an assessment of improvements to the horizontal stabilisers and to the flight control system that enables the pilot to manipulate them.
Order Reprints Print Article
SpaceX had quite a day Wednesday. The company tested its Starship system. The vehicle completed a dazzling display of maneuvers, demonstrating engineering excellence, and then exploded upon landing.
Despite the catastrophic ending to the test, it wasn’t a disappointment for SpaceX, as Elon Musk, who also heads Tesla (ticker: TSLA), tweeted. A flip maneuver that righted the spacecraft into a vertical position for landing, and the rocket data received, were enough for him.
The.
Close
SpaceX had quite a day Wednesday.
From