UNITED STATES: Virgin Galactic is on track for its monthly flight schedule, aiming for the launch of its fourth commercial mission, Galactic 04, on October 6. This mission will see three space tourists embark on a suborbital journey aboard the reusable spaceplane, VSS Unity.
While the exact time has not been disclosed, previous missions indicate a morning liftoff, with the carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, taking flight around 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT).
The journey begins at Virgin Galactic’s Spaceport America in New Mexico, where VMS Eve will ascend, carrying Unity and its crew to altitude before releasing the spaceplane to continue its journey to space.
Although the VSS Unity does not achieve orbit, it reaches an altitude high enough to offer passengers several minutes of weightlessness, affording them a breathtaking view of Earth’s curvature against the cosmic backdrop.
For those eager to witness this suborbital launch, the liftoff of VMS Eve is slated for 9 a.m. MT (11 a.m. or 1500 GMT), with Unity’s launch expected between 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. MT (11:30 a.m. ET, or 1530 GMT).
Originally scheduled for October 5, the launch date was shifted to October 6 to allow the team an additional day for vehicle preparation and checks. While Virgin Galactic did not provide live coverage for Galactic 03, the same approach is expected for Galactic 04. Updates will be communicated through Virgin Galactic’s X/Twitter account.
Six individuals are slated for the Galactic 04 spaceflight, led by mission commander Kelly Latimer and pilot C.J. Sturckow. Three private passengers will join Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor in the cabin. These passengers, known as the “Founder Astronauts,” reserved their seats over 15 years ago and hail from the U.S., U.K., and the U.A.E.
The journey will be piloted by Jameel Janjua and Nicola Pecile aboard VMS Eve, ensuring a safe release of VSS Unity before returning to Spaceport America. The exact duration of the mission remains uncertain, but past commercial flights have taken approximately 1.5 hours from VMS Eve’s takeoff to VSS Unity’s return to Spaceport America.
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