Virgin Galactic has announced the potential dates for the initial powered test flight of its VSS Unity spacecraft, launching from the newly constructed Spaceport America facility located in New Mexico. The flight is currently scheduled to occur as early as December 11th.

This upcoming flight represents Unity’s third test from the future commercial spaceport; however, the previous two involved unpowered gliding descents. This will mark the first instance of Unity utilizing its engines in almost two years, recalling its prior flight that reached the boundaries of space at approximately Mach 2.9.

Following those earlier tests, both the company and its aircraft relocated from Mojave, California, to the New Mexico spaceport. The intention is for this location to eventually serve as a departure point for passengers preparing for short journeys into space.

The preceding glide tests, where Unity was carried to a significant altitude by its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, and then released for a controlled landing, confirmed the secure assembly and readiness of the spacecraft for the demands of engine-powered flight.

The initial plan was to conduct this powered flight earlier in the year, but preventative measures related to COVID-19 resulted in scheduling adjustments. Assuming favorable weather conditions, Unity is expected to fly again next week.

Beyond testing, this flight will also carry several scientific payloads as part of NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program. This program utilizes smaller launch companies to facilitate experiments in the space environment and just beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Other companies pursuing space travel, such as Blue Origin, have similarly transported payloads for brief atmospheric excursions.

Due to ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19, Virgin Galactic is restricting access to the launch site, limiting attendance to only essential personnel and excluding media and guests.