Virgin Galactic made history at its Mojave Desert facility in California, where Sir Richard Branson and his family introduced the world to the completed SpaceShipTwo—VSS Unity—heralding a new era of commercial space tourism.
This next-generation spacecraft, crafted to accommodate two pilots and six passengers, is the successor to the original SpaceShipTwo and represents a major leap in design and safety after the tragic 2014 accident.
Sir Richard Branson unveils VSS Unity
During the inauguration, a heartfelt video message from Professor Stephen Hawking, who bestowed the name ‘Unity’ upon the ship, was broadcast. He expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating he would be honored to fly on the vessel. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai also contributed a congratulatory message, highlighting the pivotal role of space exploration in furthering scientific and educational frontiers.
VSS Unity is the inaugural craft built entirely by The Spaceship Company, Virgin Galactic’s in-house aerospace manufacturer, and marks only the second ship of its kind ever produced.
VSS Unity at Mojave, California
Virgin Galactic has outlined a rigorous testing program for VSS Unity, with multiple uncrewed and crewed flight tests scheduled to guarantee the utmost safety before welcoming its first private astronauts. The company affirms: “We will commence commercial missions only when our safety and reliability standards are fully met.”
Despite a starting price of $250,000 (£150,000) per ticket, the allure of space travel has attracted over 700 reservations from aspiring astronauts, including global celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, Angelina Jolie, and Tom Hanks.
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic, and The Spaceship Company team members
At the ceremony, Sir Richard Branson commented, “We are on the cusp of making space accessible to private citizens, a dream that will transform our perspective of life on Earth. VSS Unity is a testament to our vision, providing invaluable insights that will shape the future of Virgin Galactic and commercial spaceflight.”
Virgin Galactic is part of a competitive landscape, with tech visionaries like Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Paul Allen (Vulcan Aerospace) also advancing private space travel initiatives alongside Branson’s trailblazing efforts.
Rear view of Virgin Spaceship (VSS) Unity
