Posts: 50854 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-13-2023 08:12 AM
Virgin Galactic release
Virgin Galactic Announces Flight Window for Second Commercial Spaceflight
'Galactic 02' Will Mark First Private Astronaut Mission
Flight Window Opens August 10, 2023
Virgin Galactic today (July 13) announced the flight window for the 'Galactic 02' mission. This mission will be Virgin Galactic's seventh spaceflight, second commercial spaceflight and third spaceflight this year; flying three private passengers to space. The flight window will open on August 10, 2023, continuing the company's regular cadence of spaceflights.
Details of the flight manifest, including the crew and pilots, will be released at a later date. The dynamic and inspiring crew onboard will showcase the importance of removing the barriers of entry to human spaceflight.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50854 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-17-2023 08:34 AM
Virgin Galactic release
Virgin Galactic Broadens Access to Space with First Private Astronaut Mission 'Galactic 02'
Historic Mission Will Fly First Olympian and First Caribbean Astronauts to Space
Virgin Galactic's seventh spaceflight and second commercial spaceflight, 'Galactic 02' will fly three private passengers to space, achieving several historical milestones and furthering Virgin Galactic's mission of broadening access to space. VSS Unity will carry 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, Olympian and early Virgin Galactic ticket holder, as well as Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers, a Caribbean mother-daughter duo who won their seats in a draw that raised funds for non-profit Space for Humanity.
The dynamic and multi-national crew highlights the role the commercial space industry can play in removing barriers that once existed to becoming an astronaut. To date, fewer than 700 people have traveled to space, with little diversity among that group. Virgin Galactic's mission is to change that – beginning with an 800 strong Future Astronaut community that represents more than 60 different nations.
Galactic 02
The 'Galactic 02' mission will achieve a number of historical milestones, showcasing the power of each Virgin Galactic spaceflight to help red1efine who gets to be an astronaut. VSS Unity will fly:
The first astronauts from the Caribbean
The first mother-daughter duo to go to space
The first Olympian to go to space
The second youngest person to go to space
The second person with Parkinson's to go to space
"This flight highlights two of Virgin Galactic's core aspirations – increasing access to space and inspiring people around the world. Each of these astronauts are role models and beacons of inspiration in their communities. Watching Keisha, Ana and Jon embark on this transformative experience helps demonstrate that space is now opening to a broader and more diverse population across the globe," said Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic.
Meet the crew
John Godwin Virgin Galactic Astronaut 011 and First Olympian to travel to space
An 80-year-old adventurer and first Olympian to travel to space (Jon competed in the 1972 Munich games).
Diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, Jon will be only the second person to travel to space with the condition.
"From becoming an Olympian to canoeing between the peaks of Annapurna, to winning a six day race in the Arctic Circle, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (and cycling back down), I've always enjoyed rising to new challenges. When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, I was determined not to let it stand in the way of living life to the fullest. And now for me to go to space with Parkinson's is completely magical. I hope this inspires all others facing adversity and shows them that challenges don't have to inhibit or stop them from pursuing their dreams," said Goodwin.
Keisha Schahaff Virgin Galactic Astronaut 012 and First Astronaut from the Caribbean Islands
A 46-year-old mother of two daughters, entrepreneur and health and wellness coach from Antigua and Barbuda.
Beneficiary of two spaceflight seats in a historic draw which raised $1.7M in grants for non-profit Space for Humanity
Passionate about empowering women to live their best lives.
"When I was two years old, just looking up to the skies, I thought, 'How can I get there?' But, being from the Caribbean, I didn't see how something like this would be possible. The fact that I am here, the first to travel to space from Antigua, shows that space really is becoming more accessible. I know I will be changed by my experience, and I hope I will be able to share that energy and inspire the people around me – in my role as a life coach, a mother, and as an ambassador for our beautiful planet," said Schahaff
Anastatia Mayers Virgin Galactic Astronaut 013 and Second Youngest Person to Travel to Space
An 18-year-old university student who was born and raised in Antigua and Barbuda.
Student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland in her second year studying Philosophy and Physics.
Together with Keisha, the two will become the first mother and daughter to travel to space together.
Beth Moses Virgin Galactic Astronaut 002 and Chief Astronaut Instructor
Lead astronaut instructor carrying out all training and preparation for 'Galactic 02'; Beth will fly with the crew to assess the inflight experience while continuing to refine Virgin Galactic's training program.
Beth was the first woman to fly to space aboard a commercial space vehicle, earning her FAA commercial astronaut wings in 2019.
'Galactic 02' marks Beth's fourth flight to space with Virgin Galactic.
Meet the pilots
CJ Sturkow VSS Unity Commander
Flying since: 1984
No. of aircraft type flown: 65+
Main types flown: F/A-18, T-38, Space Shuttle
Total experience: 8,700+ Hours
Spaceflights: 8th
Kelly Latimer VSS Unity Pilot
Flying since: 1989
No. of aircraft type flown: 50+
Main types flown: T-38, C-141, C-17, T-34, B-747SP
Total experience: 7,000+ Hours
Spaceflights: 1st
Nicola Pecile VMS Eve Commander
Flying since: 1991
No. of aircraft type flown: 170+
Main types flown: Tornado FMK.3 ADV, NH-500E
Total experience: 8,000+ Hours
Spaceflights: 1
Mike Masucci VMS Eve Pilot
Flying since: 1982
No. of aircraft type flown: 80+
Main types flown: U-2,F-16,T-38, CitationX
Total experience: 10,000+ Hours
Spaceflights: 4
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1421 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 07-17-2023 09:38 AM
It should be pointed out that LtCol. (now BGen ret.) Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez of Cuba was the first person from the Caribbean to travel into space aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1980. He was also the first Latino, and first person from the Western Hemisphere other than the US, to go into space.
dom Member
Posts: 1045 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 07-17-2023 01:58 PM
The Virgin Galactic press release is technically true as the Cuban was a cosmonaut, not an "Astronaut"!
cosmos-walter Member
Posts: 803 From: Salzburg, Austria Registered: Jun 2003
posted 07-18-2023 04:34 AM
According to the Association of Space Explorers ASE Astronaut is English, Cosmonaut Russian. ASE members had business cards addressing them with Latin letters as astronaut and on the other side in Cyrillic letters as cosmonaut.
dom Member
Posts: 1045 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 07-18-2023 05:53 AM
I jest, it wasn’t to be taken too seriously…
(Just a comment on PR speak.)
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50854 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-10-2023 08:26 AM
Virgin Galactic release
Virgin Galactic Completes First Private Astronaut Spaceflight 'Galactic 02'
Virgin Galactic today (Aug. 10) announced the completion of its first private astronaut flight, 'Galactic 02.' The mission achieved multiple historic milestones, showcasing how Virgin Galactic spaceflights are broadening access to space for a diverse, global community of astronauts. Flying private astronauts Jon Goodwin from the United Kingdom, and Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers from Antigua and Barbuda, 'Galactic 02' achieved the following:
First female astronauts from the Caribbean
First mother-daughter duo to go to space
Most women flown in a single space mission
Youngest person to go to space
First Olympian to go to space
First majority female spaceflight
The sixth and seventh Black women to go to space
Second person with Parkinson's to go to space
Third oldest person to go to space
'Galactic 02' in-flight facts are as follows:
Take-off Time: 8:30am MDT
Altitude at Release: 44,300 feet
Apogee: 55 miles
Top Speed: Mach 3
Landing Time: 9:30am MDT
Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic said: "Today Virgin Galactic took another historic leap forward by flying our first private astronaut mission and demonstrating how our spaceflights will broaden access to space. Jon, Keisha and Ana each embody our fundamental belief that space is for everyone, and we are proud that today's flight has inspired people and communities around the world. This is just the beginning, as we plan to continue flying monthly spaceflights while also developing our Delta Class production spaceships to scale our business."
CJ Sturckow, VSS Unity Commander said: "It is a surreal and humbling experience to have flown Unity today. The wonder and excitement of spaceflight never loses its magic. I had the honor of being joined in the cockpit by Kelly Latimer, one of the first female commercial spaceship pilots. I'm proud of the work we're doing here at Virgin Galactic to fly more people to space."
Kelly Latimer, VSS Unity Pilot said: "In my entire career, from the Air Force Academy to being a test pilot for NASA, nothing tops what I have just experienced at the controls of VSS Unity. Going to space today fulfilled an ambition I've had since I was a child. It is a privilege to be part of a majority-women crew making history as the most female astronauts flying to space in a single mission."
The company will now proceed with post-flight inspections and analysis in preparation for the next commercial space mission, 'Galactic 03,' which is planned for September in a continuation of Virgin Galactic's monthly flight cadence.
David Carey Member
Posts: 998 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 08-10-2023 12:16 PM
Was the slow but seemingly significant oscillation during descent normal?
Perhaps the effect was magnified by the on-board video but even the ground-camera shot appeared to show the wobbles and porpoising(?) at upper altitudes.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50854 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-10-2023 02:28 PM
For what it's worth, during the post-flight news conference, Jon Goodwin said that the reentry felt like the vehicle was out of control, but that it was in control the whole time.
David C Member
Posts: 1404 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 08-11-2023 04:33 AM
Looked fun. On the oscillations and yaw around, in that low dynamic pressure the ship won’t be deadbeat aerodynamically damped. Possibly they were happy to just let it do it’s thing rather than chase it with the RCS (which could excite a PIO). Or they may have been controlling to a wide dead-band (it’s a manual system), and the yaw could have been intentional. Either way, makes for a more interesting ride for the passengers.
David Carey Member
Posts: 998 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 08-11-2023 12:25 PM
Thanks, Robert. Jon's comments mirror my sensations while watching.
Appreciate the aero inputs too, David. You made me revisit Control Theory terms which surfaced some ancient angst - I barely made it out of that class alive.
All that movement would have indeed added some "texture" to the descent. Perhaps similar to motorcycle riding with a big buffeting crosswind or on gravel roads. You have to relax (no handlebar death grips!), maintain forward momentum, and leave the bike to wobble about as its own critically-damped system. Pilot induced oscillations can be a thing too.
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1421 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 08-11-2023 03:19 PM
Also worth noting among the flight's achievements is VSS Unity commander Fred 'CJ' Sturckow making his record eighth space flight (four Shuttle; four SpaceShipTwo), surpassing fellow Shuttle fliers Franklin Chang-Diaz and Jerry Ross for most space flights; and for launching from three different sites: KSC, FL; Mojave, CA; Sierra County, NM.
posted 07-13-2023 08:12 AM
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