posted 08-28-2023 11:51 AM               

Virgin Galactic Announces Flight Window for Third Commercial Spaceflight

Galactic 03' to Fly Three Virgin Galactic "Founder" Customers

Flight Window Opens September 8, 2023

Company's Fourth Spaceflight in Four Months

Virgin Galactic today (Aug. 29) announced the 'Galactic 03' flight window will open September 8, 2023, continuing a monthly cadence of spaceflights. This would be the company's fourth spaceflight in four months.

The three 'Galactic 03' crew members are the first of Virgin Galactic's group of 'Founder' astronauts – the first customers whose forward-thinking vision and early ticket purchases helped make the dream of regular commercial spaceflights a reality.

The 'Galactic 03' crew bought their tickets as early as 2005 and, since then, have been an active part of the Company's vibrant Future Astronaut community. This community – comprised of approximately 800 individuals representing over 60 different countries – enjoys access to distinctive experiences designed to inspire and to enrich their spaceflight experience.

The pilots for 'Galactic 03' are VSS Unity Commander, Nicola Pecile, and VSS Unity Pilot, Michael Masucci; the Astronaut Instructor is Colin Bennett.

In the past twelve weeks, Virgin Galactic has introduced eleven new astronauts to the world. Following the 'Galactic 03' spaceflight, the customers on board would become Virgin Galactic astronauts 014, 015 and 016.

posted 09-08-2023 11:57 AM               

Virgin Galactic Completes Fourth Successful Spaceflight in Four Month

Mission Flew Group of 'Founder' Astronauts, Among Virgin Galactic's First Customers

Virgin Galactic today (Sept. 8) announced the completion of its second private astronaut flight, 'Galactic 03.' The mission flew three of Virgin Galactic's first customers.

'Galactic 03' was Virgin Galactic's fourth successful spaceflight in the past four months, and the third flight of Virgin Galactic's inaugural commercial spaceflight season. The flight followed the Company's first research mission in June and first private astronaut mission in August.

Onboard 'Galactic 03':

• Astronaut 014 Ken Baxter from the United States of America

• Astronaut 015 Timothy Nash from South Africa, and British Citizen

• Astronaut 016 Adrian Reynard from the United Kingdom

Spaceship VSS Unity was piloted by Commander Nicola Pecile and Pilot Michael Masucci; Chief Astronaut Instructor Beth Moses was also on board. Mothership VMS Eve was piloted by Commander Jameel Janjua and Pilot Kelly Latimer.

'Galactic 03' in-flight facts:

• Take-off Time 08:34 am MT
  
• Altitude at Release 44,867 ft
  
• Apogee 55 miles
  
• Top Speed Mach 2.95
  
• Landing Time 09:36 am MT

Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic, said: "What a thrilling day for our three new private astronauts and the entire team at Virgin Galactic. It's an honor to see our 'Galactic 03' crew realize their lifelong dreams of spaceflight as they inspire our manifest of Future Astronauts. Each successful flight shows how powerful and personally transformative space travel can be, and we look forward to scaling our operations and making space travel more accessible to people around the world."

The Company will now proceed with post-flight inspections and analysis in preparation for the next commercial space mission, 'Galactic 04,' which is planned for early October.