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VSS Unity: Virgin Galactic Unveils New Space Aircraft
The VSS Unity, for space tourism, was presented to the public on 19 February. Some technical achievement considering the fatal accident that hit the company just eighteen months ago and in which one of test pilot died.
The VSS Unity, for space tourism, was presented to the public on 19 February. Some technical achievement considering the fatal accident that hit the company just eighteen months ago and in which one of test pilot died.
Virgin Galactic is about to face its most serious challenge to date. This time, to fulfill its quest to pioneer private sector human space flight, it's going it alone, without assistance from another firm.
Unity's unveiling of its new aircraft named VSS Unity took place in Mojave desert, in the U.S. This was based on the SpaceShipTwo aircraft concept which desintegrated during a trial on 21 October, 2014. An accident that left one dead pilot and a company without any aicraft.
This time, Virgin Galactic was not built and tested by a different company. Branson's company is leading the whole process, from conception to the tests, including the making of the aircraft. ""We are fully responsible for everything," said William Pomerantz, Virgin Galactic vice -president for special projects.
Mike Moses, Virgin Galactic's senior vice president of operations, said the company's mindset is similar to what he experienced as a member of the NASA space shuttle team. "Our mentality is the same that I had at NASA which is: Every flight is a test flight, and I don't mean that in the literal sense; I mean that in the philosophical sense," he said during a press conference.
However, The accident hasn't appeared to shake the confidence of many of the 700 people with tickets to fly to space with Virgin Galactic. Including Indiana Jones U.S actor Harrison Ford, who attended the VSS Unity presentation. And, of course, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who maintained his will to boarding the aicraft in the near future.
We were honored to host Mr. Ford today. Our Chief Pilot happily let Gen. Solo take left hand seat in #SpaceShipTwo pic.twitter.com/1fWrfmrV0q
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) February 19, 2016
It is him who helped naming the new space plane, and the company wanted to recognize him by using his eye as part of the logo on Unity.
