| Names list | Galactic 01 (official) Virgin Galactic Unity 23 (former) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Virgin Galactic |
| Mission duration | 13 min and 50 second |
| Suborbital apogee | 85.1 km (52.9 mi) |
| Spacecraft | VSS Unity |
| SpaceShipTwo | VSS Unity |
| Manufacturer | The Spaceship Company |
| Crew members |
|
| Launch date | 29 June 2023 14:30:00 UTC |
| Launch site | Spaceport America Runway 34 |
| Deployment from | VMS Eve |
| Landing date | 29 June 2023 15:42:28 UTC |
| Landing site | Spaceport America Runway 34 |
| Programme | VSS Unity spaceflights |
| Previous mission | Unity 25 |
| Next mission | Galactic 02 |
| Insignia | File:Virgin Galactic - Galactic 1 Patch.png |
Galactic 01, previously referred to as Unity 23, was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which launched on 29 June 2023.[1] The launch was the first commercial spaceflight for Virgin Galactic.[2] A research mission for the Italian Air Force,[3] the crew consisted of pilots Michael Masucci and Nicola Pecile as well as crew members Colin Bennett, Walter Villadei, Angelo Landolfi, and Pantaleone Carlucci (National Research Council of Italy – CNR). The flight was postponed from its original planned October 2021 flight date for Virgin Galactic to upgrade its SpaceShipTwo vehicles.[4][5]
During the flight, Villadei wore a suit to measure biometric data and his physiological responses to spaceflight. Landolfi carried out experiments on the effects of microgravity on cognitive performance, along with its effects on how materials mix. Carlucci's heart rate and other metrics were monitored through sensors during the flight.[6]
References
- ^ "WATCH LIVE: Galactic 01 Spaceflight", retrieved 2023-06-28
- ^ Virgin Galactic completes first commercial flight in major step for space tourism company
- ^ Davenport, Justin (2023-05-25). "VSS Unity conducts first powered flight since Branson's trip in 2021". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
- ^ "Flight test program update". No. 1448752075588964357.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (2021-10-15). "Virgin Galactic postpones SpaceShipTwo flight, begins maintenance period". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
- ^ Wall, Mike (2021-09-02). "Virgin Galactic announces crew for next launch to suborbital space". Space.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.