Virgin Galactic First Commercial Flight Date Announced

Virgin Galactic Plans Return to Space Amid FAA Investigation

Following a manned orbital launch just two months prior – currently under review by the Federal Aviation Administration – Virgin Galactic is preparing for another spaceflight.

The company intends to conduct its inaugural commercial mission, marking the 23^rd flight for the VSS Unity rocket-powered spaceplane, in either late September or early October. This launch will originate from the extensive Spaceport America facility.

Mission Crew and Objectives

The flight manifest includes three crew members representing the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council, each having purchased a seat for an undisclosed fee. A Virgin Galactic team member will also be present on board.

Walter Villadei, an Italian Air Force colonel, will lead the mission. He will be joined by Angelo Landolfi, a physician and lieutenant colonel, and Pantaleone Carlucci, an aerospace engineer from the National Research Council. Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, completes the crew.

Michael Masucci and CJ Sturckow are designated as the pilots for this spaceplane journey.

The primary objective of this mission is to assess the impact of the transition from gravitational force to zero gravity on the human body. To achieve this, crew members will utilize sensors to monitor physiological responses.

Furthermore, Walter Villadei will wear a specialized smart suit, designed by Virgin Galactic to “[incorporate] Italian fashion style and technology.”

FAA Investigation and Company Response

This announcement arrives shortly after the FAA initiated an investigation into the first crewed flight of VSS Unity in July.

Initial reports, first published by The New Yorker and subsequently confirmed by the aerospace regulatory body, indicate that the spaceplane “deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance” during its return to Spaceport America.

According to journalist Nicholas Schmidle’s reporting, a warning light illuminated on the Unity’s control panel during the flight, signaling a divergence from the pre-planned trajectory.

Virgin Galactic responded with a statement contesting the report, asserting that “although the flight’s ultimate trajectory deviated from our initial plan, it was a controlled and intentional flight path.”

The company emphasized that the altered course “allowed Unity 22 to successfully reach space and land safely at our Spaceport in New Mexico.”

“At no time were passengers and crew put in any danger as a result of this change in trajectory,” Virgin Galactic added.

Previous Safety Concerns

This is not the first instance of Nicholas Schmidle bringing attention to potential safety issues within Virgin Galactic’s supersonic operations.

His book, “Test Gods,” details a previously undisclosed incident from a 2019 test flight – corroborated by former employees – which revealed potential problems with the aircraft’s wing structure.

The investigation into the July flight is ongoing, and Virgin Galactic remains committed to its space tourism ambitions.