Virgin Galactic Successfully Completes First Fully Crewed Spaceflight
July 11 2021 - 12:24PM
Business Wire
Fourth Spaceflight Tests Private Astronaut and
Research Experience
First In-Flight Livestream Brings Spaceflight
Experience to Audiences Around the World
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“the Company” or
“Virgin Galactic”) today announced that VSS Unity successfully
reached space, completing the Company’s fourth rocket-powered
spaceflight.
Today’s flight was the 22nd test flight of VSS Unity and the
first test flight with a full crew in the cabin, including the
Company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson. The crew fulfilled a number
of test objectives related to the cabin and customer experience,
including evaluating the commercial customer cabin, the views of
Earth from space, the conditions for conducting research and the
effectiveness of the five-day pre-flight training program at
Spaceport America.
Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic,
said: “Today is a landmark achievement for the Company and a
historic moment for the new commercial space industry. With each
successful mission we are paving the way for the next generation of
astronauts. I want to thank our talented team, including our pilots
and crew, whose dedication and commitment made today possible. They
are helping open the door for greater access to space – so it can
be for the many and not just for the few.”
VSS Unity achieved a speed of Mach 3 after being released from
the mothership, VMS Eve. The vehicle reached space, at an altitude
of 53.5 miles, before gliding smoothly to a runway landing at
Spaceport America.
This seminal moment for Virgin Galactic and Sir Richard Branson
was witnessed by audiences around the world. It gave a glimpse of
the journey Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronauts can expect when the
Company launches commercial service following the completion of its
test flight program. A recording of the livestream can be accessed
on Virgin Galactic’s YouTube channel.
Sir Richard Branson said: “I have dreamt about this moment since
I was a child, but nothing could have prepared me for the view of
Earth from space. We are at the vanguard of a new space age. As
Virgin’s founder, I was honoured to test the incredible customer
experience as part of this remarkable crew of mission specialists
and now astronauts. I can’t wait to share this experience with
aspiring astronauts around the world.”
Branson continued, “Our mission is to make space more accessible
to all. In that spirit, and with today’s successful flight of VSS
Unity, I’m thrilled to announce a partnership with Omaze and Space
for Humanity to inspire the next generation of dreamers. For so
long, we have looked back in wonder at the space pioneers of
yesterday. Now, I want the astronauts of tomorrow to look forward
and make their own dreams come true.”
The mission specialists in the cabin were Beth Moses, Chief
Astronaut Instructor; Colin Bennett, Lead Flight Operations
Engineer; Sirisha Bandla, Vice President of Government Affairs and
Research Operations; and the Company’s founder, Sir Richard
Branson. The VSS Unity pilots were Dave Mackay and Michael Masucci,
while Kelly Latimer and CJ Sturckow piloted VMS Eve.
You can download all press materials including images and
broll from the Virgin Galactic Press Assets
About Virgin Galactic Holdings
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is a vertically integrated
aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight
for private individuals and researchers, as well as a manufacturer
of advanced air and space vehicles. It is developing a spaceflight
system designed to offer customers a unique and transformative
experience. You can find more information at
https://www.virgingalactic.com/
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), including
statements regarding the Company’s spaceflight systems, markets and
expected flight schedule. These forward-looking statements
generally are identified by words such as “believe,” “project,”
“expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,”
“opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and
similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions,
projections and other statements about future events that are based
on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are
subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual
future events to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements in this press release, including but not limited to the
factors, risks and uncertainties included in Amendment No. 2 to our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2020, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"),
accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor
Relations section of our website at www.virgingalactic.com. These
filings identify and address other important risks and
uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual events and
results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only
as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as
required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not
intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.
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For media inquiries: Aleanna Crane - Vice President
Communications Virgingalacticpress@virgingalactic.com +1
5758004422
For Investor Relations inquiries: Seth Zaslow - Vice
President Investor Relations seth.zaslow@virgingalactic.com 714 732
4780
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