View source for SpaceShipTwo

{{Short description|Former suborbital spaceplane for space tourism}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox spacecraft class
| name                 = SpaceShipTwo
| image                = Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo "Unity" rollout 19Feb2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California.jpg
| image_size           = 300px
| image_alt            = Picture of the SpaceShipTwo VSS ''Unity'' at the unveiling event in Mojave, California
| image_caption        = SpaceShipTwo VSS ''Unity'' in the Virgin Galactic Final Assembly Integration Test Hangar
| manufacturer         = [[Scaled Composites]]<br />([[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']])<br />[[The Spaceship Company]]<br />([[VSS Unity|VSS ''Unity'']])
| country              = [[United States]]
| operator             = [[Virgin Galactic]]
| applications         = [[Sub-orbital spaceflight|Suborbital]] [[space tourism]]

<!--Specifications-->
| spacecraft_type      = Crewed [[spaceplane]]
| launch_mass          = {{cvt|13154|kg}}
| dry_mass             = {{cvt|6123|kg|sigfig=3}}
| crew_capacity        = 8 (planned); 6 (actual)
| volume               = {{cvt|14|m3|sigfig=1}} pressurized
| orbits               = Suborbital

<!--Dimensions-->
| length               = {{cvt|18.3|m}}
| height               = {{cvt|5.5|m}}
| width                = {{cvt|8.3|m}}

<!----Payloads---->
|capacities            = 
  {{Infobox rocket/payload
  |location            = Suborbital
  |kilos               = {{cvt|600|kg}}
  }}

<!--Production-->
| status               = Retired
| built                = 2
| retired              = 1 (VSS ''Unity'')
| lost                 = 1 ([[VSS Enterprise crash|VSS ''Enterprise'']])
| maidenlaunch         = 10 October 2010 (glide flight)<br />29 April 2013 (powered flight)<br />13 December 2018 (spaceflight)
| lastlaunch           = 8 June 2024

<!--Engine details-->
| stagedata           = 
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| name                 = Engine details
| engines              = 1 [[RocketMotorTwo]] engine
| thrust               = {{cvt|310|kN}}
| SI                   = 250 s
| fuel                 = [[Nitrous oxide]] / [[Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene]]
}}

<!--Related spacecraft-->
| derivedfrom          = [[SpaceShipOne]]
| derivatives          = [[SpaceShip III]]
}}

The '''Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo''' ('''SS2''') was an air-launched [[Sub-orbital spaceflight|suborbital]] [[spaceplane]] type designed for [[space tourism]]. It was manufactured by [[The Spaceship Company]], a [[California]]-based company owned by [[Virgin Galactic]].

SpaceShipTwo was carried to its launch altitude by a [[Scaled Composites White Knight Two]], before being released to fly on into the upper atmosphere powered by its [[rocket engine]]. It then glided back to [[Earth]] and performed a conventional runway landing.<ref name=nasa20110310>{{cite web |title=sRLV platforms compared |url=https://c3.ndc.nasa.gov/flightopportunities/platforms/compare/ |publisher=NASA |access-date=10 March 2011 |date=7 March 2011 |quote=SpaceShipTwo: Type: HTHL/Piloted |archive-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220015430/https://flightopportunities.nasa.gov/technologies/ |url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The spaceship was officially unveiled to the public on 7 December 2009 at the [[Mojave Air and Space Port]] in California.<ref>{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8400353.stm |title=Richard Branson unveils Virgin Galactic spaceplane |publisher=BBC News |date=8 December 2009 |access-date=23 March 2010 }}</ref> On 29 April 2013, after nearly three years of unpowered testing, the first SS2 constructed successfully performed its first powered test flight.<ref name=EnginesIgnited>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22344398 |title=Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceship ignites engine in flight |publisher=BBC News |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=29 April 2013 }}</ref>

Virgin Galactic planned to operate a fleet of five SpaceShipTwo spaceplanes in a [[private spaceflight|private passenger-carrying service]]<ref name=April2013Test>{{cite web |url=http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/4/4/space_ship_completes_24th_test_flight.htm |title=Space Ship Completes 24th Test Flight in Mojave |publisher=Hispanic Business |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230231853/http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/4/4/space_ship_completes_24th_test_flight.htm |archive-date=30 December 2013 }}</ref><ref name=SpaceCom2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/16057-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-launches-2013.html|title=Virgin Galactic to Launch Passengers on Private Spaceship in 2013|publisher=SPACE.com|date=8 June 2012|access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref><ref name=Start2013>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15460935|title="Virgin Galactic space tourism could begin in 2013"|publisher=BBC News|date=26 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/science/space/23cnd-spaceship.html?hp|title=New Tourist Spacecraft Unveiled|access-date=23 January 2008|author=John Schwartz |newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 January 2008}}</ref> and took bookings for some time, with a suborbital flight carrying a ticket price of US$250,000 in 2015.<ref>[http://www.virgingalactic.com/human-spaceflight/fly-with-us/ Fly With Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112065252/http://www.virgingalactic.com/human-spaceflight/fly-with-us/|date=12 November 2015}} Virgin Galactic Retrieved 5 November 2015</ref> The spaceplane was also used to carry scientific payloads for NASA and other organizations.<ref name=DoingScience>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20500194|title=Virgin spaceship aims to be science lab|publisher=BBC News|date=4 December 2012|access-date=4 December 2012}}</ref>

On 31 October 2014, during a test flight, the first SpaceShipTwo [[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']] [[VSS Enterprise crash|broke up in flight and crashed]] in the [[Mojave Desert|Mojave desert]].<ref name="NYT-20141031-KC">{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Kenneth |last2=Schwartz |first2=John |title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Crashes in New Setback for Commercial Spaceflight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/01/science/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-crashes-during-test-flight.html |date=31 October 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=1 November 2014 }}</ref><ref name=sn20141031>{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff |title=SpaceShipTwo Destroyed in Fatal Test Flight Accident|url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/42391spaceshiptwo-destroyed-in-fatal-test-flight-accident|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141031195325/http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/42391spaceshiptwo-destroyed-in-fatal-test-flight-accident|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 October 2014|access-date=31 October 2014 |publisher=SpaceNews|date=31 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Crashes During Flight Test|website=[[NBC News]]|date=31 October 2014|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-crashes-during-flight-test-n238376}}</ref><ref name="Durden310Oct14">{{cite news|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Virgin-Galactics-SpaceShipTwo-Crashes223025-1.html|title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Crashes|access-date=31 October 2014|last=Durden|first=Rick|date=31 October 2014|publisher=AVweb|archive-date=14 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414031911/https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Virgin-Galactics-SpaceShipTwo-Crashes223025-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> An investigation found that the craft's [[Feathering (reentry)|descent device]] deployed too early.<ref name="NYT-20141103-KC">{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Kenneth|title=Investigators Focus on Tail Booms in Crash of Space Plane |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/04/business/international/virgin-galactic-plane-tail-booms-focus-of-investigation.html|date=3 November 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=3 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="APN-20141103-BM">{{cite news|last=Melley|first=Brian|title=Spaceship's descent device deployed prematurely|url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141103/us--space_tourism-e62024cd1f.html|date=3 November 2014|agency=Associated Press|access-date=3 November 2014}}</ref> One pilot, [[Michael Alsbury]], was killed; the other was treated for a serious shoulder injury after parachuting from the stricken spacecraft.<ref name=dn20141103>{{cite news |last1=Klotz |first1=Irene |title=SpaceShipTwo's Rocket Engine Did Not Cause Fatal Crash |url=http://news.discovery.com/space/private-spaceflight/spaceshiptwos-rocket-engine-did-not-cause-fatal-crash-141103.htm |access-date=3 November 2014 |publisher=Discovery News |date=3 November 2014 |archive-date=16 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216114303/http://news.discovery.com/space/private-spaceflight/spaceshiptwos-rocket-engine-did-not-cause-fatal-crash-141103.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="spaceflightnow.com">{{cite web|title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo rocket plane crashes|date=31 October 2014|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/10/31/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-suffers-anomaly-during-test-flight/}}</ref>

The second SpaceShipTwo spacecraft, [[VSS Unity|VSS ''Unity'']], was unveiled on 19 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/New-SpaceShipTwo-Rollout-Friday-225723-1.html|title=New SpaceShipTwo Rollout Friday|date=18 February 2016|publisher=AVweb|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322112641/http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/New-SpaceShipTwo-Rollout-Friday-225723-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/virgin-galactic-new-spaceship-1.3399865|title=Virgin Galactic unveils new space tourism rocket plane|date=19 February 2016|publisher=CBC News|access-date=20 February 2016}}</ref> The vehicle underwent flight testing 2016&ndash;2023.<ref name=csm20161205/><ref name=vg20160310/><ref name="VG20160909">{{cite news|title=Update from Mojave: VSS Unity's First Flight Test Completed - Virgin Galactic|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-vss-unitys-first-flight-test-completed/ |access-date=12 September 2016|website=virgingalactic.com|date=9 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912061403/http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-vss-unitys-first-flight-test-completed/|archive-date=12 September 2016}}</ref> Its first flight to [[Boundary to space|space (above 50 miles altitude)]], [[VSS Unity VP-03|VSS ''Unity'' VP03]], took place on 13 December 2018.<ref name=cnn20181213/><ref name=verge20181213>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/13/18138279/virgin-galactic-vss-unity-spaceshiptwo-space-tourism|first=Lauren|last=Grush |title=Virgin Galactic's spaceplane finally makes it to space for the first time|publisher=The Verge|date=13 December 2018|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref> The first operational flight of ''Unity'' (defined as the first flight flying passengers that were not Virgin Galactic employees) was [[Galactic 01]] on 29 June 2023. The final flight of ''Unity'' was [[Galactic 07]] on 8 June 2024.

== Design overview ==
The SpaceShipTwo project was based in part on technology developed for the first-generation [[SpaceShipOne]], which was part of the [[Scaled Composites Tier One]] program, funded by [[Paul Allen]]. The Spaceship Company licensed this technology from [[Mojave Aerospace Ventures]], a joint venture of Paul Allen and [[Burt Rutan]], the designer of the predecessor technology.

SpaceShipTwo was a [[Aspect ratio (aerodynamics)|low-aspect-ratio]] passenger [[spaceplane]]. Its capacity was planned to be eight people — six passengers and two pilots. The SpaceShipTwo spaceplanes never flew with more than 6 people onboard (4 passengers, 2 pilots). The [[Apsis|apogee]] of the new craft was designed to be approximately {{cvt|110|km}} in the lower [[thermosphere]], {{cvt|10|km}} higher than the [[Kármán line]] but as of July 2021, the maximum height reached was 89.9&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47336617 |title=Virgin's Unity plane rockets skyward |date=22 February 2019 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In the end, the SpaceShipTwos never broke the 100&nbsp;km limit. The predecessor craft SpaceShipOne's target was also 100&nbsp;km but the last flight reached an altitude of {{cvt|112|km}}.<ref name=ft>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/combined_white_knight_spaceshipone_flight_tests |title=SpaceShipOne Flight Tests |work=Scaled Composites |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822194232/http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/combined_white_knight_spaceshipone_flight_tests |archive-date=2010-08-22 }}</ref> SpaceShipTwo was designed to reach {{cvt|4200|km/h}}, using a single [[hybrid rocket]] engine — the [[RocketMotorTwo]].<ref name="RocketMotorTwo HotFire Tests">{{cite web |url=http://www.scaled.com/projects/rocket_motor_2_hot-fire_test_summaries|title=Project Test Summaries|access-date=5 April 2012|publisher=Scaled Composite|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202346/http://www.scaled.com/projects/rocket_motor_2_hot-fire_test_summaries|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> It launched from its mothership, [[Scaled Composites White Knight Two|White Knight Two]], at an altitude of {{cvt|13500|m}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhY9bJfi4xY|title=Replay! Virgin Galactic's 2nd commercial crew spaceflight with VSS Unity - Full Broadcast|date=10 August 2023 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> and reached [[supersonic speed]] within 8 seconds. After 70 seconds, the rocket engine cut out and the spacecraft coasted to its peak altitude. SpaceShipTwo's crew cabin was {{cvt|3.7|m}} long and {{cvt|2.3|m}} in diameter.<ref name="flightglobal-unveil">{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/23/221031/pictures-virgin-galactic-unveils-dyna-soar-style-spaceshiptwo-design-and-twin-fuselage-white-knight.html|title=Pictures: Virgin Galactic unveils Dyna-Soar style SpaceShipTwo design and twin-fuselage White Knight II configuration|access-date=23 January 2008|author=Rob Coppinger|publisher=Flightglobal}}</ref> The wing span was {{cvt|8.2|m}}, the length was {{cvt|18|m}} and the tail height was {{cvt|4.6|m}}.<ref name="VirginGalactic-Presspack">{{cite web|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/pressftp/index_full.php|title=Spaceship Unveil Presspack|access-date=10 February 2008|publisher=Virgin Galactic|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216043101/http://www.virgingalactic.com/pressftp/index_full.php|archive-date=16 February 2008}}</ref>

SpaceShipTwo used a [[Atmospheric entry#Feathered entry|feathered reentry system]], feasible due to the low speed of reentry. In contrast, orbital spacecraft re-enter at orbital speeds, close to {{cvt|25000|km/h}}, using heat shields. SpaceShipTwo was furthermore designed to re-enter the atmosphere at any angle.<ref name="zdnet-btl-blog">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7678|title=Virgin Galactic unveils SpaceShipTwo; Plans open architecture spaceship|date=23 January 2008|access-date=10 February 2008|author=Dignan, Larry|publisher=ZDnet.com|archive-date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206023230/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/virgin-galactic-unveils-spaceshiptwo-plans-open-architecture-spaceship/7678|url-status=dead}}</ref> It decelerated through the atmosphere, switching to a gliding position at an altitude of {{cvt|24|km}}, and took 25 minutes to glide back to the [[spaceport]].

SpaceShipTwo and White Knight Two were, respectively, roughly twice the size of the first-generation SpaceShipOne and mothership [[Scaled Composites White Knight|White Knight]], which won the [[Ansari X Prize]] in 2004. SpaceShipTwo had {{cvt|43|and|33|cm}}-diameter windows for the passengers' viewing pleasure,<ref name="VirginGalactic-Presspack"/> and all seats reclined back during landing to decrease the discomfort of G-forces.<ref name="space2">{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/news/060828_spaceshiptwo_next.html|title=Virgin Galactic Unveils SpaceShipTwo Interior Concept|access-date=6 April 2007|date=28 September 2006|author=Tariq Malik|publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> In 2008, [[Burt Rutan]] remarked on the safety of the vehicle:
{{blockquote|This vehicle is designed to go into the atmosphere in the worst case straight in or upside down and it'll correct. This is designed to be at least as safe as the early airliners in the 1920s ... Don't believe anyone that tells you that the safety will be the same as a modern airliner, which has been around for 70 years.<ref name="zdnet-btl-blog"/>}}

In September 2011, the safety of SpaceShipTwo's feathered reentry system was tested when the crew briefly lost control of the craft during a gliding test flight. Control was reestablished after the spaceplane entered its feathered configuration, and it landed safely after a 7-minute flight.<ref name=SpaceCoOct>[http://www.space.com/13297-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-test-flight-glitch.html "Virgin Galactic's private spaceship makes safe landing after tense test flight"] SPACE.com 17 October 2011 Retrieved 18 October 2011</ref>

== Fleet and launch sites ==
=== Fleet history ===
SpaceShipTwo (and the [[WhiteKnightTwo]] launcher aircraft) were built by [[The Spaceship Company]], originally formed as a joint venture between Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic.<ref name=aw20110708>{{cite news|last=Norris|first=Guy|title=Scaled And Virgin Lift Veil on Spaceship Production Progress|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/scaled-and-virgin-lift-veil-spaceship-production-progress|access-date=8 July 2011 |publisher=Aviation Week & Space Technology|date=11 July 2011}}</ref> Virgin Galactic bought out Scaled Composites' interest in TSC in 2012, and TSC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Galactic.<ref name=yf20121005>{{cite web|title=Virgin Galactic Acquires Full Ownership of The Spaceship Company|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20121005005907/en/Virgin-Galactic-Acquires-Full-Ownership-Spaceship-Company#.VFvXsPnF98E|publisher=Business Wire|date=5 October 2012|access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>

The launch customer of SpaceShipTwo was Virgin Galactic, who {{as of|2005|lc=y}} had publicly announced they had ordered five vehicles,<ref name=Sdc20050725 >{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/news/050727_branson_rutan.html |title=Richard Branson and Burt Rutan Form Spacecraft Building Company |publisher=SPACE.com |date=27 July 2005 |access-date=17 October 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/news/080123-virgingalactic-ss2-design.html|title=Virgin Galactic Unveils Suborbital Spaceliner Design|access-date=25 January 2008|date=23 January 2008|publisher=SPACE.com|first=Tariq|last=Malik}}</ref> but only three had been ordered by 2015.<ref name="NBCNews-2015-02-07"/> The first SS2 was named [[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/virgin_space_040927.html|title=Virgin Galactic to Offer Public Space Flights|access-date=20 December 2007|publisher=SPACE.com|date=27 September 2004}}</ref> The "VSS" prefix stands for "Virgin Space Ship". VSS ''Enterprise'' was the first to fly;<ref name="gizmodo">{{cite web|url=http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/09/Comparison_SS1-SS2.jpg |title=Scale comparison chart of Spaceshipone and Spaceshiptwo|access-date=6 April 2007|publisher=Gizmodo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317222044/http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/09/Comparison_SS1-SS2.jpg|archive-date=17 March 2007}}</ref> it was [[VSS Enterprise crash|destroyed in a crash]] on 31 October 2014.<ref name="NYT-20141031-KC"/><ref name="WRD-201410312-AR">{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Adam|title=Space Tourism Isn't Worth Dying For|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/10/virgin-galactic-boondoggle/|date=31 October 2014|publisher=Wired (magazine)|access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBC-20141031">{{cite news|title=Virgin Galactic spacecraft crash kills pilot|date=31 October 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29857182|publisher=BBC News|access-date=8 November 2014}}</ref> The build of [[VSS Unity|VSS ''Unity'']] was about 65% complete in early November 2014, and Virgin Galactic expected it to be complete in 2015. It was unveiled in February 2016<ref name=nw20141102>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/virgin-galactic-ceo-sees-new-spacecraft-ready-next-year-281652 |title=Virgin Galactic CEO Sees New Spacecraft Ready Next Year|publisher=Newsweek|date=2 November 2014}}</ref> and performed its first powered flight in April 2018. The third SpaceShipTwo was expected to commence construction by the end of 2015.<ref name="NBCNews-2015-02-07">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/virgin-galactic-gears-building-third-spaceshiptwo-n302191|title=Virgin Galactic Gears Up for Building Third SpaceShipTwo|date=7 February 2015|publisher=NBC News}}</ref><ref name=vg20160310>{{cite web|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-testing-testing-1-2-3/ |title=Update from Mojave: Testing Testing 1-2-3|publisher=Virgin Galactic|date=10 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120901/http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-testing-testing-1-2-3/|archive-date=15 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Unity'' was retired on 8 June 2024 after its final flight took place on that date, as Virgin Galactic shifted its focus to the next generation Delta-class vehicles. At the time, the only SpaceShipTwos completed and flown were the ''Enterprise'' and the ''Unity''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2024-05-08 |title=Virgin Galactic plans higher mothership flight rate with next-generation spaceplanes |url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-plans-higher-mothership-flight-rate-with-next-generation-spaceplanes/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Launch sites ===
SpaceShipTwo was launched from the WhiteKnightTwo launcher aircraft, which took off from the [[Mojave Air and Space Port]] in [[California]] during testing. [[Spaceport America]] (formerly Southwest Regional Spaceport), a US$212 million [[spaceport]] in [[New Mexico]], partly funded by the state government,<ref name=ept20101023>[http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_16411102 New era draws closer: Spaceport dedicates runway on New Mexico ranch] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121210172846/http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_16411102|date=10 December 2012 }} ''[[El Paso Times]]'' 23 October 2010 Retrieved 25 October 2010 "two-thirds of the US$212 million required to build the spaceport came from the state of New Mexico... The rest came from construction bonds backed by a tax approved by voters in Doña Ana and Sierra counties".</ref> became the permanent launch site for the latter part of test flight programme and for commercial launches.<ref name="flightglobal-unveil"/>

=== Ships in class ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ship
! Tail number
! First unpowered flight
! First powered flight
! First spaceflight
! Last flight
! Status
|-

| [[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']]
| N339SS
| 10 October 2010
| 29 April 2013
| n/a
| 31 October 2014
| [[VSS Enterprise crash|Destroyed]]<ref name="NYT-20141031-KC"/><ref name="WRD-201410312-AR"/><ref name="BBC-20141031"/>
|-

| [[VSS Unity|VSS ''Unity'']]
| N202VG
| 3 December 2016 <ref name=csm20161205>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2016/1205/Space-tourism-Virgin-Galactic-makes-successful-glide-test|title=Space tourism: Virgin Galactic makes successful glide test|date=5 December 2016|access-date=5 December 2015|author=Weston Williams|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor}}</ref>
| 5 April 2018
| 13 December 2018
| 8 June 2024
| Retired
|-

|}

Two further ships were under construction by 2016.<ref name="NBCNews-2015-02-07"/><ref name="SD">{{cite web|title=Second Spaceship in Virgin Galactic's fleet completes major build milestone|publisher=Space Daily |date=10 January 2020 |url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Second_Spaceship_in_Virgin_Galactics_fleet_completes_major_build_milestone_999.html |access-date=2020-01-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/02/19/virgin-galactic-unveils-the-new-spaceship-two/|title=Virgin Galactic unveils the new SpaceShip Two, named the VSS Unity |publisher=Engadget|date=19 February 2016|access-date=20 February 2016|quote=The plans for this ship are for it to be the first Virgin Galactic ship that takes paid passengers to space, and the third and fourth ships are already under construction.}}</ref> It is unclear whether these are now designated to be [[SpaceShip III]] class vehicles. As of 2024, the only SpaceShipTwo-class vehicles completed and flown are ''Enterprise'' and ''Unity''.

== Development ==
[[File:Replica of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo at the Intrepid Museum 2014.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Full-scale mock-up of SpaceShipTwo in Virgin Galactic livery]]

On 28 September 2006, [[Virgin Group]] founder [[Richard Branson|Sir Richard Branson]] unveiled a mock-up of the SpaceShipTwo passenger cabin at the NextFest exposition at the [[Jacob K. Javits Convention Center]] in [[New York City|New York]].<ref name="bbcwhite">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5394130.stm|title=Buckled up for white knuckle ride|access-date=6 April 2007|date=30 September 2006|author=Sophie Morrison|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The design of the vehicle was revealed to the press in January 2008, with the statement that the vehicle itself was around 60% complete.<ref name="flightglobal-unveil"/> On 7 December 2009, the official unveiling and rollout of SpaceShipTwo took place. The event involved the first SpaceShipTwo being christened by then - [[Governor of California]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] as the VSS ''Enterprise''.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8400353.stm Richard Branson unveils Virgin Galactic spaceplane] BBC News 7 December 2009</ref>

=== 2007 test explosion ===
On 26 July 2007, an explosion occurred during an [[Oxidizing agent|oxidizer]] flow test at the [[Mojave Air and Space Port]], where early-stage tests were being conducted on SpaceShipTwo's systems. The oxidizer test included filling the oxidizer tank with {{cvt|4500|kg}} of [[nitrous oxide]], followed by a 15-second cold-flow injector test. Although the tests did not ignite the gas, three employees were killed and three injured by flying [[Shrapnel (fragment)|shrapnel]].<ref name=LAT-2007-07-27-TamiAbdollah>Abdollah, Tami and Silverstein, Stuart (27 June 2007) [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-27-me-explode27-story.html "Test Site Explosion Kills Three"] ''Los Angeles Times'' Retrieved 27 July 2007</ref>

=== Rocket engine ===
The [[Hybrid rocket|hybrid rocket engine]] design for SpaceShipTwo was problematic and caused extensive delays to the [[flight test]] program. The original rocket engine design was based on [[hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene]] (HTPB) fuel and [[nitrous oxide]] oxidizer, sometimes referred to as an [[Nitrous oxide|N<sub>2</sub>O]]/[[Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene|HTPB]] engine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Propulsion Systems: multiple-burn, green and low-cost |url=http://sncspace.com/pdfs/Propulsion%20Systems_FINAL_web.pdf |publisher=Sierra Nevada |access-date=8 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323035056/http://www.sncspace.com/pdfs/Propulsion%20Systems_FINAL_web.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Safe Hybrid Rocket |url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/overview/safety/|year=2013|publisher=Virgin Galactic|access-date=8 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304220709/http://www.virgingalactic.com/overview/safety|archive-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> It was developed by Scaled Composites subcontractor [[Sierra Nevada Corporation]] (SNC) from 2009 to early 2014. In May 2014, Virgin Galactic announced a change to the hybrid engine to be used in SpaceShipTwo, and took the development effort in-house to Virgin Galactic, terminating the contract with Sierra Nevada and halting all development work on the first-generation [[rocket engine]].<ref name=sncpr20141031>{{cite web |title=SNC Statement in Response to Inquiries Regarding 31 October 2014 Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Incident |url=http://www.sncspace.com/press_more_info.php?id=417 |access-date=1 November 2014 |publisher=Sierra Nevada Corporation |date=31 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101025107/http://www.sncspace.com/press_more_info.php?id=417 |archive-date=1 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Virgin then modified the engine design to include a change of the hybrid rocket fuel from a HTPB to a polyamide fuel formulation. In October 2015, Virgin announced that it was considering changing back to the original HTPB fuel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-switching-back-to-rubber-fuel-for-spaceshiptwo/ |title=SpaceShipTwo Bounces Back to Rubber Fuel |first=Jeff |last=Foust |date=14 October 2015 |access-date=16 October 2015 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref>

==== 2014 change of engine ====
Rather than the rubber-based HTPB-fuel engine—engines that had experienced serious engine stability issues on firings longer than approximately 20 seconds — the engine would instead be based on a solid fuel composed of a type of plastic called [[thermoplastic]] [[polyamide]]. The plastic fuel was projected to have better performance (by several unspecified measures) and was projected to allow SpaceShipTwo to make flights to a higher altitude.<ref name=nsj20140524>{{cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |title=Virgin Galactic changes fuels as it prepares for its next round of test flights |url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2014/05/24/virgin-galactic-changes-fuels-as-it-prepares-for-its-next-round-of-test-flights/ |access-date=25 May 2014 |newspaper=NewSpace Journal |date=24 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name=nbc20140523>{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Alan|title=Virgin Galactic Makes a Switch in SpaceShipTwo's Rocket Motor|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/virgin-galactic-makes-switch-spaceshiptwos-rocket-motor-n113216|access-date=24 May 2014|publisher=NBC News|date=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=aw20140524>{{cite news|title=New Fuel to Boost SpaceShip Two |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/space/new-fuel-boost-spaceship-two|publisher=Aviation Week|date=24 May 2014|last=Morris|first=Guy|access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>

{{As of|2014|05}} when the version 2 engine by Virgin Galactic was publicly announced, the engine had already completed full-duration burns of over 60 seconds in ground tests on an engine test stand.<ref name=nbc20140523/> The second-generation engine design also required the modification to the SS2 [[airframe]] to fit additional tanks in the wings of SpaceShipTwo — one holding [[methane]] and the other containing [[helium]] — in order to ensure a proper burn and shut-down of the new engine.<ref name=pa20140630>{{cite news|last1=Messier|first1=Doug|title=WhiteKnightTwo in the Air Over Mojave Today |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/06/30/whiteknighttwo-air-mojave-today/|access-date=1 November 2014|publisher=Parabolic Arc|date=30 June 2014}}</ref> Additional ground tests were performed on the new engine between May and October 2014.

==== 2015: another fuel change ====
Following a series of rocket engine tests, Virgin announced in October 2015 that they would be changing the rocket motor back to [[hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene]] (HTPB), with a similar formulation as they used earlier in the development program before switching to a nylon-based fuel grain. They would use HTPB to power the SpaceShipTwo when it would resume flight following the loss of the initial SS2 test vehicle in October 2014. Full qualification tests remained to be completed at the time.<ref>[http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-switching-back-to-rubber-fuel-for-spaceshiptwo/ SpaceShipTwo Bounces Back to Rubber Fuel] SpaceNews, 14 October 2015, accessed 26 November 2015</ref>

==== RocketMotorTwo ====
{{Main|RocketMotorTwo}}

The second-generation RocketMotorTwo engine was a variant of the earlier SNC basic design, but was fueled by polyamide plastic fuel, while continuing to use the same nitrous oxide oxidizer. The second-generation engine was made in-house by Virgin Galactic rather than by SNC. By December 2012, 15 full-scale tests had been successfully conducted,<ref name="TestFires09-12">[http://www.scaled.com/projects/rocketmotortwo_hot-fire_test_summaries RocketMotorTwo Hot-Fire Test Summaries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426095422/http://www.scaled.com/projects/rocketmotortwo_hot-fire_test_summaries |date=26 April 2012 }} Scaled.com Updated 9 August 2012 Retrieved 16 December 2012</ref><ref name=June2012Tests/> and additional ground tests continued into March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog/this-isnt-sci-fi|title=This isn't sci-fi|publisher=Virgin.com|date=5 March 2013|access-date=5 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307153321/http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog/this-isnt-sci-fi|archive-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> In June 2012, the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) issued a rocket testing permit to Scaled Composites, allowing it to begin SS2 test flights powered by RocketMotorTwo;<ref name=FAAPermit2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.flyingmag.com/news/spaceshiptwo-gets-thumbs-rocket-powered-flights|title=SpaceShipTwo Gets Thumbs Up for Rocket-Powered Flights|publisher=Flying Magazine|date=1 June 2012}}</ref> the first such powered flight took place on 29 April 2013.<ref name=scaledsum130429/> The engine produced {{cvt|270|kN}} of thrust.

=== Test flights ===
{{main|VSS Enterprise#Flight test program|VSS Unity#Test flight program}}
[[File:White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo from directly below.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|SpaceShipTwo in a captive flight configuration underneath White Knight Two, during the runway dedication of [[Spaceport America]] in October 2010. [[VMS Eve|VMS ''Eve'']] is shown carrying [[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']].]]
[[File:SS2 First Launch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|A view of the firing of SpaceShipTwo's rocket engines during its first powered flight in April 2013.]]

==== Testing VSS ''Enterprise'' ====
In September 2012, Virgin Galactic announced that the unpowered [[subsonic flight|subsonic]] glide flight test program was essentially complete.<ref>Rosenberg, Zach; [http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/virgin-galactic-finishes-unpowered-flight-test-376475/ "Virgin Galactic finishes unpowered flight test"] FlightGlobal 13 September 2012 Retrieved 26 September 2012</ref> In October 2012, Scaled Composites installed key components of the rocket engine, and SpaceShipTwo performed its first glide flight with the engine installed in December 2012.<ref name=December2012Testing/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_10_22_2012_p04-01-509022.xml|title=SpaceShipTwo Fitted With Rocket Propulsion System|publisher=Aviation Week|date=22 October 2012|access-date=14 November 2012|archive-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012173343/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_10_22_2012_p04-01-509022.xml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The spacecraft's first powered test flight took place on 29 April 2013. SpaceshipTwo reached supersonic speeds in this first powered flight.<ref name=scaledTestLogs>{{cite web|title=SpaceShipTwo Test Summaries |url=http://www.scaled.com/projects/test_logs/35/model_339_spaceshiptwo|publisher=[[Scaled Composites]]|access-date=14 August 2013|date=8 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816140953/http://www.scaled.com/projects/test_logs/35/model_339_spaceshiptwo|archive-date=16 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=VG130429>{{cite web|title=Virgin Galactic Breaks Speed of Sound in First Rocket-Powered Flight of SpaceShipTwo|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-breaks-speed-of-sound-in-first-rocket-powered-flight-of-spaceshiptwo/ |publisher=Virgin Galactic|access-date=29 April 2013|date=29 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430085117/http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-breaks-speed-of-sound-in-first-rocket-powered-flight-of-spaceshiptwo/|archive-date=30 April 2013}}</ref> On 5 September 2013, the second powered flight was made by SpaceShipTwo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Succeeds in Second Rocket-Powered Flight|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2013/09/05/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-succeeds-in-second-rocket-powered-flight/|work=Forbes|access-date=6 September 2013}}</ref> The first powered test flight of 2014 — and third overall — occurred 10 January 2014. The spacecraft reached an altitude of {{cvt|22000|m}} and a speed of {{cvt|1.4|Mach}}. The WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft released SpaceShipTwo (VSS ''Enterprise'') at an altitude of {{cvt|14000|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universetoday.com/107979/spaceshiptwo-goes-supersonic-in-third-test-flight/|title=SpaceShipTwo Goes Supersonic in Third Rocket-Powered Test Flight|author=Nancy Atkinson|publisher=Universe Today|date=10 January 2014}}</ref>

==== October 2014 crash ====
{{main|VSS Enterprise crash}}
[[File:NTSB Go-Team inspects a tail section of VSS Enterprise.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|[[NTSB]] Go-Team inspects a tail section of [[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']].]]

On 31 October 2014, SpaceShipTwo VSS ''Enterprise'' suffered an in-flight breakup during a powered flight test,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1143260271/SpaceShipTwo-experiences-in-flight-anomaly|title=SpaceShipTwo disaster: Industry mourns pilot but vows to keep ...|newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023044651/http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1143260271/SpaceShipTwo-experiences-in-flight-anomaly|archive-date=23 October 2015}}</ref><ref name=nbc_premature_deploy>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/spaceshiptwo-feather-tail-system-deployed-prematurely-ntsb-n239721|title=SpaceShipTwo 'Feather' Tail System Deployed Prematurely: NTSB|date=3 November 2014|website=NBC News}}</ref> resulting in a crash killing one pilot, [[Michael Alsbury]], and injuring the other.<ref name="NYT-20141031-KC"/><ref name="spaceflightnow.com"/> It was coincidentally the first flight to use the new type of fuel, based on nylon plastic grains.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marks|first1=Paul|title=Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo in fatal crash|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26489-virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-in-fatal-crash.html#.VFRiwucbOsU|website=newscientist.com|publisher=New Scientist|access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="gizmodo2014">{{cite news
|url=https://gizmodo.com/virgin-galactic-experiences-first-major-accident-possi-1653360863|title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Has Crashed, Possible Casualties|publisher=Gizmodo|date=31 October 2014|access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> The crash was caused by a premature deployment of the [[Atmospheric entry#Feathered entry|feathering mechanism]], which was normally used to aid in a safe descent. SpaceShipTwo was still in powered ascent when the feathering mechanism deployed. Disintegration was observed two seconds later.<ref name=nbc_premature_deploy/>

{{As of|October 2014}}, SpaceShipTwo had conducted 54 test flights.<ref name="space20141008">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/27376-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-test-flight.html|title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Aces Glide Test Flight|publisher=SPACE.com|date=8 October 2014|access-date=8 October 2014|last=Wall|first=Mike}}</ref> The spacecraft had used its "feathered" wing configuration during ten of these test flights.<ref name="space20141008"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/feather-flight-and-nitrous-vent-test-success/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111051050/https://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/feather-flight-and-nitrous-vent-test-success/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2019|title=Feather flight and nitrous vent test success|publisher=Virgin Galactic|access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=pressrelease20140110>{{cite web |url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-reaches-new-heights-in-third-supersonic-test-flight/ |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=13 January 2014 |title=Virgin Galactic Reaches New Heights in Third Supersonic Test Flight |website=virgingalactic.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407135714/http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-reaches-new-heights-in-third-supersonic-test-flight |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}</ref>

The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] conducted an independent investigation into the accident. In July 2015, the NTSB released a report which cited inadequate design safeguards, poor pilot training, lack of rigorous federal oversight and a potentially anxious co-pilot as important factors in the 2014 crash.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR15-02.pdf |title=In-Flight Breakup During Test Flight, Scaled Composites SpaceShipTwo, N339SS, Near Koehn Dry Lake, California, October 31, 2014 |work=National Transportation Safety Board |date=28 July 2015 |access-date=29 August 2017 }}</ref><ref name="EnterpriseNTSBReport">{{cite web |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/PR20150728.aspx |title=Lack of Consideration for Human Factors Led to In-Flight Breakup of SpaceShipTwo |publisher=NTSB |date=28 July 2015 |access-date=29 July 2015 }} {{PD-notice}}</ref> While the co-pilot was faulted for prematurely deploying the ship's feathering mechanism, the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Aviation Administration [[Office of Commercial Space Transportation]], and the ship's designers were also faulted for not creating a fail-safe system that could have guarded against such premature deployment.<ref name="EnterpriseNTSBReport"/>

==== VSS ''Unity'' ====
In October 2015, it was reported that the second SpaceShipTwo would make its first flight in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americaspace.com/?p=87222|title=Virgin Galactic's New SpaceshipTwo Nearing Completion as Return to Flight Tests Push to 2016|date=9 October 2015|publisher=AmericaSpace|access-date=20 February 2016}}</ref> [[VSS Unity|VSS ''Unity'']] was unveiled in February 2016.

A phase of testing called "[[system integration testing|Integrated Vehicle Ground Testing]]" began on VSS ''Unity'' in February 2016.<ref name="vg20160310"/> Between 8 September and 30 November 2016, Virgin Galactic conducted a series of captive-carry flights of ''Unity'', including planned glide flights (1 and 3 November 2016) for which the glide portion of the flight was cancelled because of wind speed.<ref name="space20161101">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/34580-virgin-galactic-attempts-spaceshiptwo-glide-test.html|title=Virgin Galactic Postpones 1st Glide Test with New SpaceShipTwo|author=Tariq Malik|date=1 November 2016|access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=inverse20161104>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/23203-virgin-galactic-scrubs-spaceshiptwo-glide-test-again|title=Virgin Galactic looks to next SpaceShipTwo glide test|website=inverse.com|date=4 November 2016|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/11/03/minute-scrub-spaceshiptwo-glide-flight/|title=Last Minute Scrub of SpaceShipTwo Glide Flight|publisher=Parabolic Arc|date=4 November 2016|access-date=5 November 2016|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405143141/https://parabolicarc.com/2016/11/03/minute-scrub-spaceshiptwo-glide-flight/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/virgin-galactic-conducts-captive-carry-flight-spaceshiptwo/|title=Virgin Galactic conducts captive carry flight of SpaceShipTwo|publisher=Spaceflight Insider|date=1 December 2016|access-date=5 December 2016|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404192039/https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/virgin-galactic-conducts-captive-carry-flight-spaceshiptwo/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Glide flights of ''Unity'' began on 3 December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phys.org/news/2016-12-virgin-galactic-spaceship-glide-flight.html |access-date=5 December 2016|date=3 December 2016|website=phys.org|title=Virgin Galactic spaceship makes first glide flight}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/04/virgin-galactics-space-programme-moves-forward-spaceshiptwo/|date=4 December 2016|access-date=5 December 2016|title=Virgin Galactic's space programme moves forward as SpaceShipTwo carries out first successful glide test|author=David Millward|website=telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Technology/2016/1205/Space-tourism-Virgin-Galactic-makes-successful-glide-test|title=Space tourism: Virgin Galactic makes successful glide test|date=5 December 2016|access-date=5 December 2016|author=Weston Williams|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-successful-first-glide-flight-test-for-vss-unity/|title=Update from Mojave: Successful First Glide Flight Test for VSS Unity|date=3 December 2016|access-date=6 December 2016 |website=virgingalactic.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513225909/http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-successful-first-glide-flight-test-for-vss-unity/|archive-date=13 May 2017}}</ref>

After several glide flights over the preceding months, in July 2017, Richard Branson suggested that the craft was to begin powered tests at three-week intervals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-05/branson-targets-space-by-mid-2018-as-virgin-begins-powered-tests|title=Branson Aims Mid-2018 Space Trip as Virgin Resumes Powered Tests |publisher=Bloomberg|date=5 July 2017|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref> In September 2017, CEO George Whitesides suggested that engine testing was complete, and that only a "small number of glide flights" remained before VSS ''Unity'' would begin powered tests flights.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/virgin-galactic-ceo-company-is-returning-to-powered-flights.html |title=Virgin Galactic is returning to powered flights, CEO says, in a crucial next step for the spaceship company |publisher=CNBC |date=7 September 2017 |access-date=8 September 2017 }}</ref> In October 2017, Branson suggested that SpaceShipTwo could reach space within three months, and that he could travel to space aboard a SpaceShipTwo within six months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/virgin-galactic-founder-richard-branson-spaceflights-spaceport-america-new-mexico/4629899/ |title=Virgin Galactic founder says spaceflights could be months away |publisher=KOB |date=9 October 2017 |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014035145/http://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/virgin-galactic-founder-richard-branson-spaceflights-spaceport-america-new-mexico/4629899/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviationweek.com/space/virgin-galactic-hopes-test-spaceshiptwo-space-2017|title=Virgin Galactic Hopes To Test SpaceShipTwo In Space In 2017|first=Irene|last=Klotz |publisher=aviationweek.com|date=12 October 2017|access-date=13 October 2017}}</ref> A seventh high speed glide test was completed in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=January 2018|first=Mike Wall 11 |title=Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Soars on 7th Glide Flight (Photo)|date=11 January 2018 |url=https://www.space.com/39360-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-seventh-glide-flight.html|access-date=2021-03-26|publisher=SPACE.com}}</ref> On 13 December 2018, SpaceShipTwo VSS ''Unity'' reached its highest altitude up to that point, {{cvt|82.72|km}}. This surpassed the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Government]] definition of space at {{cvt|80|km}} but not the standard used elsewhere at {{cvt|100|km}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iop.org/resources/topic/archive/space/ |title=A brief history of space |website=iop.org |access-date=13 December 2018 }}</ref> Despite the debate on where outer space begins, [[Mark P. Stucky|Mark Stucky]] would receive his astronaut wings, while [[Frederick W. Sturckow]] would not as he had already flown on the [[Space Shuttle]] four times.<ref name=cnn20181213>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/13/tech/virgin-galactic-reaches-50-mile-space/index.html|title=Virgin Galactic reaches 50-mile space|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|date=14 December 2018|website=edition.cnn}}</ref>

Following a February 2019 spaceflight, VSS ''Unity'' began to undergo modifications in preparation for commercial service; this includes an upgrading the flight deck and installing a passenger cabin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-expects-rapid-conclusion-of-spaceshiptwo-test-flights-after-downtime/|first=Jeff|last=Foust|date=19 April 2019|access-date=19 April 2019|title=Virgin Galactic expects rapid conclusion of SpaceShipTwo test flights after downtime|website=spacenews.com}}</ref> It was later revealed in 2021 that VSS ''Unity'' had actually suffered a large crack in its structure during its 2019 spaceflight, requiring repair work to the vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/will-virgin-galactic-ever-be-successful-a-new-book-provides-insights/|first=Eric |last=Berger|date=2 May 2021|access-date=2 May 2021|title=Will Virgin Galactic ever be successful? A new book offers insights|website=arstechnica.com}}</ref> Following its return to service VSS ''Unity'' made a [[Virgin Galactic Unity 22|test flight]] that included Richard Branson as a passenger on July 11, 2021. During this flight, the vehicle deviated from its planned flight course triggering a [[Federal Aviation Administration]] investigation into the issue. While in ascent the vehicle triggered a red warning light which indicated it had deviated from its safe flight path.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Red Warning Light on Richard Branson's Space Flight |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-red-warning-light-on-richard-bransons-space-flight |date=2021-09-01 |work=New Yorker |author=Schmidle, Nicholas }}</ref> On 2 September 2021, it was publicly announced that further SpaceShipTwo flight tests would be grounded by FAA mandate until the investigation was completed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-bars-virgin-galactic-rocket-plane-flights-pending-mishap-probe-2021-09-02/ |title=U.S. bars Virgin Galactic rocket plane flights pending mishap probe |author=Shepardson, David |newspaper=Reuters |date=2021-09-02 }}</ref> The FAA cleared SpaceShipTwo flights to resume later in September, after deciding to expand the restricted aerospace around the vehicle's flight range.<ref>{{cite news |title=FAA clears Virgin Galactic to resume SpaceShipTwo flights |url=https://spacenews.com/faa-clears-virgin-galactic-to-resume-spaceshiptwo-flights/ |date=2021-09-29 |author=Foust, Jeff |newspaper=Spacenews }}</ref>

The final test flight (defined as final flight with only Virgin Galactic personnel onboard) was [[Virgin Galactic Unity 25]] mission on 25 May 2023. The first operational flight of ''Unity'' (defined as the first flight flying passengers that were not Virgin Galactic employees) was [[Galactic 01]] on 29 June 2023.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ SpaceShipTwo spaceflights (above 50 miles)
! style="text-align:left;" | Spaceflight
! style="text-align:left;" | Date
!Outcome
! style="text-align:right;"| Top speed
! style="text-align:right;"| Altitude
! style="text-align:left;" | Crew
|-

| style="text-align:left;" | [[VSS Unity VP-03|VSS ''Unity'' VP-03]]
| style="text-align:left;" | 13 December 2018
| {{Success}}
| style="text-align:right;"| Mach 2.9 <ref>{{cite tweet|number=1073252317598609408|user=virgingalactic|title=We travelled at 2.9 Mach on the way up to today. That's 2.9 times the speed of sound.<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=13 December 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:right;"| {{Convert|82.72|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Mark P. Stucky]] and [[Frederick W. Sturckow]]
|-

| style="text-align:left;" | [[VSS Unity VF-01|VSS ''Unity'' VF-01]]
| style="text-align:left;" | 22 February 2019
| {{Success}}
| style="text-align:right;"| Mach 3.04 <ref>{{cite tweet|number=1098989513655742464|user=virgingalactic|title=Mach 3.0<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=22 February 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:right;"| {{Convert|89.9|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}} <ref>[https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1098997029957599232]{{dead link|date=December 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:left;" | [[David Mackay (pilot)|Dave Mackay]], [[Michael Masucci]], and [[Beth Moses]] (passenger)
|-

| style="text-align:left;" | VSS ''Unity'' VF-02
| style="text-align:left;" | 12 December 2020, 16:15 UTC (aborted)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Virgin Galactic Update on Test Flight Program.|url=https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-update-on-test-flight-program/|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711172345/https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-update-on-test-flight-program/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{partial|Aborted prior to ignition}}
| style="text-align:right;"| N/A 
| style="text-align:right;"| N/A  
| style="text-align:left;" | [[David Mackay (pilot)|Dave Mackay]] and [[Frederick W. Sturckow]]<ref name="NSF20201212">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/new-mexico-joins-human-spaceflight-with-unity-flight/|title=VSS Unity aborts after engine start, safely lands with crew back at Spaceport America|date=12 December 2020|access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref>
|-

| style="text-align:left;" | [[VSS Unity Unity21|VSS ''Unity'' Unity 21]]
| style="text-align:left;" | 22 May 2021, 15:26 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
| {{Success}}
| style="text-align:right;"|Mach 3 
| style="text-align:right;"| {{Convert|89.2|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[David Mackay (pilot)|Dave Mackay]] and [[Frederick W. Sturckow]]<ref name="NSF20210522">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/virgin-galactic-another-attempt-new-mexico/|title=Virgin Galactic successfully makes first human spaceflight from New Mexico|date=22 May 2021|access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Virgin Galactic Unity 22|VSS ''Unity'' Unity 22]]
|11 July 2021
| {{Success}}
| style="text-align:right;" | TBD
| style="text-align:right;" | {{Convert|86|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}} <ref>Spaceflight Now on Twitter: [https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1414245669297016836 Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity rocketplane reached an apogee of 282,000 feet after a good burn of its hybrid rocket motor.]</ref>
|[[David Mackay (pilot)|David Mackay]], [[Michael Masucci]], [[Sirisha Bandla]], [[Colin Bennett (astronaut)|Colin Bennett]], [[Beth Moses]], and [[Richard Branson|Sir Richard Branson]]
|-
|[[Virgin Galactic Unity 25|VSS ''Unity'' Unity 25]]
|25 May 2023, 16:23 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.virgingalactic.com/news/virgin-galactic-is-a-go-for-launch/ |title=Virgin Galactic is GO for launch |date=17 May 2023 |access-date=19 May 2023 |work=Virgin Galactic}}</ref>
|{{Success}}
|Mach 2.94
|{{Convert|87.2|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
|[[Michael Masucci]], [[Frederick W. Sturckow]], [[Beth Moses]], Luke Mays, Jamila Gilbert, Christopher Huie 
|-
|[[Galactic 01]]
|27 June 2023, 15:28 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Jonathan McDowell |user=planet4589 |number=1674445777425293312 |title=Galactic 01 stats: launch 1528:38 UTC, apogee 85.1 km, flight time from drop to main gear touchdown 13m50s. Drop location EBR P3 in my launch points list (107.0W 33.3N) |date=29 June 2023}}</ref>
|{{Success}}
|Mach 2.88
|{{Convert|85.1|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
|[[Michael Masucci]], Nicola Pecile, [[Walter Villadei]], Angelo Landolfi, Pantaleone Carlucci and [[Colin Bennett (astronaut)|Colin Bennett]]
|-
|[[Galactic 02]]
|10 August 2023, 15:17 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Jonathan McDowell |user=planet4589 |number=1689783764639961089 |title=I don't quite agree with these numbers. I have takeoff of White Knight 2 at 1429:45 UTC (in agreement with their 8.30 am MDT) but landing of SS2 at 1532:48 UTC (9.32 am MDT). Release time 1517:10 UTC and SS2 free flight time 15:38 with apogee 88.5 km. |date=10 August 2023}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
| Mach 3.00
| {{Convert|88.5|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| [[CJ Sturckow]], [[Kelly Latimer]], [[Beth Moses]], [[Jon Goodwin (canoeist)|Jon Goodwin]], [[Keisha Schahaff]], [[Anastatia Mayers]]
|-
|[[Galactic 03]]
|8 September 2023, 15:22 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Jonathan McDowell |user=planet4589 |number=1700249597845913634 |title=Virgin Galactic few Spaceship Two mission Galactic 03 on Sep 8. VMS Eve took off at 1434 UTC and dropped VSS Unity over the usual drop point (EBR P3 in my list) at about 1522:13 UTC. Unity boosted to 88.6 km apogee and landed at Spaceport America at 1535 UTC. |date=8 September 2023}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
| Mach 2.95
| {{Convert|88.6|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| [[Michael Masucci]], Nicola Pecile, [[Beth Moses]], Timothy Nash, [[Ken Baxter (businessman)|Ken Baxter]], Adrian Reynard<ref>{{Cite web |title=Core memory unlocked. Welcome to space, #Galactic03. Congratulations, 014, 015, and 016! |url=https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1700170319343112596?s=20 |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Galactic 04]]
|6 October 2023, 16:10 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.virgingalactic.com/news/virgin-galactic-completes-fifth-successful-spaceflight-in-five-months |title=Virgin Galactic completes fifth successful flight in five months |date=6 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |work=Virgin Galactic}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
| Mach 2.95
| {{Convert|87.4|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| [[Kelly Latimer]], [[CJ Sturckow]], [[Beth Moses]], Ron Rosano, [[Trevor Beattie]], [[Namira Salim]]
|-
|[[Galactic 05]]
| 2 November 2023, 15:44 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://investors.virgingalactic.com/news/news-details/2023/Galactic-05-Research-Mission-Set-to-Become-Virgin-Galactics-Sixth-Flight-in-Six-Months/default.aspx |title='Galactic 05' research mission set to become Virgin Galactic's sixth flight in six months |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |work=Virgin Galactic}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
| Mach 2.96
| {{Convert|87.2|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| [[Michael Masucci]], [[Kelly Latimer]], [[Colin Bennett (astronaut)|Colin Bennett]], [[Alan Stern]], [[Kellie Gerardi]], Ketty Maisonrouge
|-
|[[Galactic 06]]
| 26 January 2024, 17:42 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Jonathan McDowell |user=planet4589 |number=1750973689204764824 |title=The @VirginGalactic Galactic 06 mission was launched from the WK02 carrier plane at 1742:05 UTC Jan 26 following takeoff around 1700 UTC. After a one minute rocket burn, SS2 reached an apogee of 88.8 km and landed after an approximately 14 minute free flight. (1/2) |date=26 January 2024}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
| Mach 2.98
| {{Convert|88.8|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| [[CJ Sturckow]], Nicola Pecile, Lina Borozdina, Robie Vaughn, Franz Haider, Neil Kornswiet
|-
|[[Galactic 07]]
| 8 June 2024, 15:26:30 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Jonathan McDowell |user=planet4589 |number=1799468227447476573 |title=Galactic 07 was dropped and fired its rocket engine at about 1526:30 UTC and landed at around 1541 UTC. Apogee not yet known. |date=8 June 2024}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
| Mach 2.96
| {{Convert|88.75|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}
| Nicola Pecile, Jameel Janjua, [[Tuva Cihangir Atasever]], Andy Sadhwani, Irving Pergament, Giorgio Manenti
|-
|}

=== Costs ===
SpaceShipTwo's total development costs were estimated at around US$400 million in May 2011, a significant increase over the 2007 estimate of US$108 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Look at Cost Overuns and Schedule Delays in Major Space Programs|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/05/04/cost-overruns/|publisher=Parabolic Arc|date=4 May 2011|access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref>

== Commercial operation ==
{{stack|{{suborbital_spaceflight_timeline.svg}}}}
The duration of the flights was expected to be approximately 2.5 hours, although only a few minutes of that was to be in space. The price was initially US$200,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=339112&sid=ENV&ssid=27|title=Rich Chinese buying tickets to space|access-date=6 April 2007|publisher=Zee News}}</ref> More than 65,000 would-be space tourists applied{{when|date=July 2021}}<!-- by when? --> for the first batch of 100 tickets. By December 2007, Virgin Galactic had 200 paid-up customers on its books for the early flights, and 95% were passing the 6-8 g centrifuge tests.<ref>"Virgin Galactic's timetable for progress" ''Spaceflight'' Volume 50 British Interplanetary Society February 2008 p. 48</ref> That number had increased to 575 by early 2013.<ref name=pa20130429/>

In April 2013, Virgin Galactic announced that the price for a seat would increase 25% to US$250,000 before the middle of May 2013,<ref name=pa20130429>{{cite news |last=Messier |first=Doug |title=Reserve Your SpaceShipTwo Seat Now – Big Price Increase Coming Soon |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/29/reserve-your-spaceshiptwo-seat-now-big-price-increase-coming-soon/ |access-date=30 April 2013 |publisher=Parabolic Arc |date=29 April 2013 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215121032/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/29/reserve-your-spaceshiptwo-seat-now-big-price-increase-coming-soon/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and would remain at US$250,000 "until the first 1,000 people have traveled, so that it matches up with inflation since [Virgin Galactic] started".<ref name=sdc20130430>{{cite web |url=http://www.space.com/20886-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-ticket-prices.html|title=Ticket Price for Private Spaceflights on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Going Up|last=Wall|first=Mike|publisher=SPACE.com |date=30 April 2013|access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>

The first paying customers had been expected to fly aboard the craft in 2014, following 50–100 test flights.<ref name=April2013Test/> Refining the projected schedule in late 2009, Virgin Galactic declined to announce a firm timetable for commercial flights, but did reiterate that initial flights would take place from [[Spaceport America]]. Operational roll-out would be based on a "safety-driven schedule".<ref name=Fg20091027ww2>{{Cite AV media|people=Will Whitehorn|title=International Astronautical Congress 2009: Civilian Access to Space|medium=Video – comments at c. 20:00|publisher=Flightglobal Hyperbola |location=Daejeon, South Korea|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/hyperbola/2009/10/video-iac2009-civilian-access.html|date=27 October 2009|access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref>

In addition to making suborbital passenger launches, Virgin Galactic marketed SpaceShipTwo for suborbital [[outline of space science|space science]] missions.<ref name=Fg20091027ww2/><!-- see c. 22:00 in the video. VG will also market WK2 for the "small satellite" segment, hoping to "begin RFPs in the next 6-7 months" (same source @ c. 22:00) -->

=== NASA sRLV program ===
By March 2011, Virgin Galactic had submitted SpaceShipTwo as a [[reusable launch vehicle]] for carrying research payloads in response to [[NASA]]'s suborbital reusable launch vehicle (sRLV) solicitation, which was a part of the agency's Flight Opportunities Program. Virgin projected research flights might reach a peak altitude of {{cvt|110|km}}. These flights would provide approximately four minutes of microgravity for research payloads. Payload mass and microgravity levels had not been specified at the time.<ref name=nasa20110310/> Since May 2021, NASA-supported technology and systems have been tested on SpaceShipTwo.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newton|first=Laura|date=2021-02-11|title=NASA-supported Tech to Fly on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/nasa-supported-tech-to-fly-on-virgin-galactic-ss2.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=2021-03-26}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

=== Future spacecraft ===
In August 2005, the president of Virgin Galactic stated that if the suborbital service with SpaceShipTwo would be successful, the follow-up [[SpaceShipThree]] would be an orbital craft. In 2008, Virgin Galactic suggested that it may develop a high-speed passenger vehicle to offer transport through [[Spaceflight#Point-to-point|point-to-point suborbital spaceflight]].<ref name="flightglobal">{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2005/08/23/Navigation/200/201097/SpaceShipThree+poised+to+follow+if+SS2+succeeds.html|title=SpaceShipThree poised to follow if SS2 succeeds|access-date=6 April 2007 |date=23 August 2005|publisher=Flight International}}</ref>

== Specifications ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Virgin Galactic,<ref>[http://www.virgingalactic.com/overview/spaceships/ Overview – Spaceships] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722080445/http://www.virgingalactic.com/overview/spaceships |date=22 July 2011}} Virgin Galactic Retrieved 19 June 2013</ref> space.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/17994-how-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-works.html|title=How Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Passenger Space Plane Works (Infographic)|publisher=SPACE.com|date=10 October 2012|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> & Popular Mechanics<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a19694433/virgin-galactic-first-rocket-powered-supersonic-flight/|title=Virgin Galactic Conducts First Rocket-Powered Flight of VSS Unity|first=Jay |last=Bennett|date=5 April 2018|publisher=Popular Mechanics|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref>
|prime units?=met

<!--
 General characteristics
-->
| crew            = 2
| capacity        = 6 passengers
| length m        = 18.3
| span m          = 8.3
| height m        = 5.5
| gross weight kg = 9,740

<!--
 Powerplant
-->
| eng1 number = 1
| eng1 name   = [[RocketMotorTwo]]
| eng1 type   = liquid/solid hybrid [[rocket engine]]

<!--
  Performance
-->
| max speed kmh = 4,000
| ceiling m     = 110000
}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Aviation|Spaceflight|Technology}}
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[New Shepard]]
* [[Dream Chaser]]
* [[List of crewed spacecraft]]
* [[North American X-15]]
* [[Private spaceflight]]
* [[SpaceShipOne]]
* [[Space Rider]]
* [[Space Shuttle program]]
* [[SpaceShip III]]
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=June2012Tests>[http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=37626 "Virgin Galactic successfully completes SpaceShipTwo glide flight test and rocket motor firing on same day"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728041832/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=37626 |date=28 July 2020 }} SpaceRef 28 June 2012</ref>

<ref name=December2012Testing>{{cite web|url=http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/19/16025374-spaceshiptwo-straps-on-its-engine|title=SpaceShipTwo straps on its engine|publisher=NBC News|date=20 December 2012|access-date=20 December 2012}}</ref>

<ref name=scaledsum130429>{{cite web|title=SpaceShipTwo Test Summaries|url=http://www.scaled.com/projects/test_logs/35/model_339_spaceshiptwo|publisher=Scaled Composites|access-date=29 April 2013|date=29 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816140953/http://www.scaled.com/projects/test_logs/35/model_339_spaceshiptwo|archive-date=16 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|SpaceShipTwo}}
* [http://www.virgingalactic.com/ Official Virgin Galactic website]
* [http://www.scaled.com/ Official Scaled Composites website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4l_TBxlgkc#t=37 Virgin Galactic], [[National Geographic Channel]] documentary, 2012
* [http://www.space.com/news/050727_branson_rutan.html Formation of The Spaceship Company] — SPACE.com (2005)
* [http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tourism-04g.html The Birth of SpaceShipTwo] — SpaceDaily (2004)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060920140112/http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/97 Space or Bust: Feature article on space tourism] — Cosmos Magazine (2005)
* [http://spacelawprobe.blogspot.com/2006/03/space-law-in-paris.html Space Law in Paris] — Space Law Probe (2006)
* [https://www.zdnet.com/pictures/images-spaceshiptwo-your-ticket-to-space/ Images of SS2 mockups] — ZDNet (2007)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1GiAOzKz4k "VG Powered Flight Updated Drop BRoll"] Virgin Galactic via YouTube 29 April 2013  Shows all 16 seconds of the first-flight rocket firing from three views, and most of the sequence from a fourth view

{{Virgin Galactic}}
{{The Spaceship Company}}
{{Scaled Composites}}
{{Spaceplanes}}
{{Space tourism}}
{{Reusable launch systems}}
{{Crewed spacecraft}}

[[Category:SpaceShipTwo| ]]
[[Category:Virgin Galactic]]<!-- company funding the technology -->
[[Category:Scaled Composites]]<!-- company developing the technology, and building the first SS2, VSS Enterprise -->
[[Category:The Spaceship Company]]<!-- company building the second and future spaceplane -->
[[Category:Scaled Composites White Knight Two]]<!-- primary payload of WK2 -->
[[Category:Crewed spacecraft]]
[[Category:Reusable launch systems]]
[[Category:Rocket-powered aircraft]]
[[Category:Experimental vehicles]]
[[Category:Spaceplanes]]
[[Category:Space tourism]]
[[Category:Suborbital spaceflight]]
[[Category:Space program fatalities]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2013]]
[[Category:American spacecraft]]