![\"Virgin](\"https:\/\/www.unilad.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Virgin-space-2-262x175.jpg\" "\\"Virgin")
![\"Virgin](\"https:\/\/www.unilad.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Virgin-arrives-in-space-1.jpg\")
Virgin Galactic<\/p>\nVirgin Galactic<\/p>\n
Virgin Galactic, ‘the world’s first commercial spaceline,’ has arrived in space for the first time.<\/p>\n
SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, took off early this morning on a carrier plane (December 13) at the Mojave Test Centre in California.<\/p>\n
Shortly afterwards, it was released by its carrier plane at around 43,000 feet and climbed up to altitudes of approximately 271,000 feet – touching the edge of space, while marking a major achievement for the company.<\/p>\n
As reported by the Independent<\/a>, this journey into space is a major breakthrough in attempts to bring private space travel to the masses.<\/p>\n It also marked the plane’s fourth test flight and followed earlier setbacks in the firm’s space programme, reports the BBC<\/a>. It’s the first time a US commercial human flight has reached space since 2011, when the space programme came to an end.<\/p>\n The firm took to social media to keep their followers updated with the progress of SpaceShipTwo, posting regular tweets throughout the day.<\/p>\n SpaceShipTwo, welcome to space.<\/p>\n — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n As the plane arrived in space, Sir Richard Branson’s firm wrote:<\/p>\n SpaceShipTwo, welcome to space.<\/p>\n Virgin Galactic first promised trips to space for tourists back in 2008, stating they’d be taking place ‘within 18 months’.<\/p>\n Yet delays meant this wasn’t the case, hence why this successful journey to the edges of space is regarded as such a breakthrough.<\/p>\n SpaceShipTwo returns from space — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n Virgin Galactic said<\/a> before the flight they were ‘aiming to achieve a longer burn duration of our rocket motor resulting in us going higher than we have before’.<\/p>\n And that they did; The Verge<\/a> reports the highest the plane had climbed prior to today was just over 32 miles, whereas it reached 51.5 miles today.<\/p>\n If, like me, you’re clueless about space – don’t worry, Virgin Galactic have us covered. In the lead-up to the journey, the firm revealed some facts about SpaceShipTwo to make it all a bit clearer for us.<\/p>\n The first being the specific name of the spacecraft – VSS Unity – was chosen by Professor Stephen Hawking. Which, let’s face it, is a massive claim to fame right there.<\/p>\n And the tribute to the physicist doesn’t stop there. Turns out, the iris of Stephen Hawking’s eye is featured on the side of the spacecraft.<\/p>\n If you don’t believe me, take a look below:<\/p>\n 2. The iris of Professor Stephen Hawking's eye is featured on the side of SpaceShipTwo. pic.twitter.com\/sju5I81IKg<\/a><\/p>\n — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n Other facts about the plane include the number of windows – 17 – allowing future astronauts a ‘great view’ of the cosmos and planet Earth.<\/p>\n SpaceShipTwo doesn’t have a front wheel, which makes the spacecraft lighter and more efficient in its design.<\/p>\n The firm also informed followers yesterday (December 12), the top speed SpaceShipTwo has ever reached is Mach 2.4. However, as of today’s journey they beat that, reaching 2.9 Mach – 2.9 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n Woah. As clueless as I am, even I can tell that’s impressive.<\/p>\n SpaceShipTwo looking back on Spaceship Earth ![\"🚀\"](\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/11\/72x72\/1f680.png\")
![\"🌎\"](\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/11\/72x72\/1f30e.png\")
pic.twitter.com\/UscFxNMF6J<\/a><\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/ynr31mKzzf<\/a><\/p>\n