virgin galactic
-
NASA Confronts Looming Gap in Human Space Missions as ISS Retirement Draws Near
As the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its service in low Earth orbit, NASA is grappling with the idea of a short-term gap until a commercial alternative takes its place. This week, NASA officials discussed the possibility of not being able to maintain human presence in low Earth orbit as the space…
-
World’s First Commercial Spaceplane Faces Crucial Test at NASA
Dream Chaser, built by Sierra Space, is being prepped for transport to a NASA facility in Ohio, where it will undergo a series of tests to make sure the spaceplane can survive its heated reentry through Earth’s atmosphere. Starting these tests is crucial, demonstrating Dream Chaser’s readiness for flights and potentially transforming commercial space travel.…
-
Virgin Galactic Finally Launches Its First Crew of Space Tourists
A crew of three private citizens reached suborbital heights on board Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spacecraft, marking the company’s second commercial flight and its first carrying space tourists. The Galactic 02 mission launched on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Virgin Galactic’s spaceplane, VSS Unity, was released from the carrier…
-
Titanic Sub Disaster Should Serve as a Stern Warning to the Emerging Space Tourism Sector
Whether it’s diving to the depths of the ocean or flying to the edge of space, the risks associated with extreme tourism haven’t deterred wealthy billionaires and other privileged individuals from buying their way to severe environments. The recent loss of the five passengers on board the submersible vessel, however, should serve as a sobering…