View source for VSS Unity

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2020}}
{{short description|American commercial sub-orbitable space ship}}
{{redirect-distinguish|VSS Voyager|USS Voyager (disambiguation){{!}}USS Voyager}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:VSS ''Unity''}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name                 = VSS ''Unity''
|image                = File:Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo "Unity" rollout 19Feb2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California.jpg
|caption              = Virgin Galactic [[SpaceShipTwo]] ''Unity'' rollout, 19 February 2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California
|alt                  = <!-- Alt text for main image -->
|sole example of type?= no
|aircraft name        = VSS ''Unity''
|other_names          = <!--Other names (nicknames, nose art names) this aircraft is known by-->
|type                 = [[Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo]]
|manufacturer         = [[The Spaceship Company]]
|construction_number  = 2<ref name=IBT-2014-11-05/>
|construction_date    =  <!-- either roll-out date or span of time for lengthy projects, whichever seems more appropriate -->
|civil_registration   = N202VG<ref name=NewsDaily-2014-11-05>{{cite news |url= http://newsdaily.com/2014/11/new-spaceship-restoring-hope-after-virgin-galactic-crash/ |title= New spaceship restoring hope after Virgin Galactic crash |date= 5 November 2014 |author= Irene Klotz |agency= Reuters |publisher= SpaceDaily |access-date= 6 November 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141207060224/http://newsdaily.com/2014/11/new-spaceship-restoring-hope-after-virgin-galactic-crash/ |archive-date= 7 December 2014 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref>
|military_serial      = <!-- any military serial numbers carried by this aircraft -->
|radio_code           = <!-- military radio codes where this is a commonly-used way of identifying this aircraft (e.g. US, British, and German military aircraft of WWII -->
|first_flight         = {{bulleted list
  | 8 September 2016<ref name="VG first flight">{{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|publisher=virgingalactic.com|date=9 September 2016|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|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> <br/> (captive carry flight)
  | 3 December 2016 <br/> (glide flight)
  | 5 April 2018 <br/> (powered flight)
  | [[VSS Unity VP-03|13 December 2018]] <br/>([[sub-orbital spaceflight|spaceflight]] dependent upon definition)
  }}
|owners               = [[Virgin Galactic]]
|in_service           = 2016–2024
|flights              = <!-- number of flights made by this aircraft, usually only relevant for an aircraft no longer flying -->
|total_hours          = <!-- total number of hours flown by this aircraft, usually only relevant for an aircraft no longer flying -->
|total_distance       = <!-- total distance flown by this aircraft, usually only relevant for an aircraft no longer flying -->
|fate                 = Retired 8 June 2024<!-- fate/disposition of this aircraft -->
|preservation         = <!-- where this aircraft is currently preserved (if it is) -->
}}

<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Spaceshiptwo final.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Artist's concept of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo together on ascent]] -->

'''VSS ''Unity''''' ('''Virgin Space Ship ''Unity''''', [[Aircraft registration|registration]]: '''N202VG'''), previously referred to as '''VSS ''Voyager''''', is a retired [[SpaceShipTwo]]-class [[suborbital]] [[rocketplane|rocket-powered]] crewed [[spaceplane]]. It was the second ''SpaceShipTwo'' to be built and was part of the [[Virgin Galactic]] fleet. It first reached space as defined by the United States (above 50 miles or 80.5 km) on 13 December 2018, on the [[VSS Unity VP-03|VP-03]] mission.<ref name="VSS Unity Name Tweet">{{cite tweet |user=virgingalactic |number=700795235291402240 |date=19 February 2016 |title=Virgin Galactic announces new ship name}}</ref>

''Unity'' was able to reach space as defined by the U.S. Air Force, [[NASA]], and the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]], by going over 50 miles (80.5 km) above sea level. However, it was unable to go above the [[Kármán line]], the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|FAI]]'s defined space boundary of 100 km (62.1 miles).

VSS ''Unity'' was rolled out 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 |work=AVweb |date=18 February 2016 |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 web|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|work=[[CBC News]]|access-date=20 February 2016}}</ref> and completed ground-based [[system integration testing]] in September 2016, prior to its first flight on 8 September 2016.<ref name="VG first flight"/><ref name="Geekwire 2016-09-08">{{cite web |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/virgin-galactic-new-spaceshiptwo-captive-carry/ |title=Virgin Galactic's new SpaceShipTwo gets off the ground, two years after fatal mishap |publisher=GeekWire |date=2016-09-08 |access-date=2016-09-08}}</ref><ref name=vg20160310/>

''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.<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>

==Overview==
VSS ''Unity'', the second [[SpaceShipTwo]] suborbital spaceplane for [[Virgin Galactic]],<ref name="4 May 2015 VG SS2 Construction update">{{cite web|title=Mojave Update: SpaceShipTwo Construction|url=http://www.virgingalactic.com/mojave-update-spaceshiptwo-construction/|website=virgingalactic.com|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003230106/http://www.virgingalactic.com/mojave-update-spaceshiptwo-construction/|url-status=dead}}</ref> was the first SpaceShipTwo built by [[The Spaceship Company]]. The ship's name was announced on 19 February 2016.<ref name="VSS Unity Name Tweet" /> Prior to the naming announcement, the craft was referred to as '''SpaceShipTwo, Serial Number Two'''.<ref name="Air & Space Mag interview with George Whitesides">{{cite web|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Zach|title=The Making of SpaceShipTwo|url=http://www.airspacemag.com/as-interview/making-spaceshiptwo-180952849/?no-ist|website=Air & Space Smithsonian|publisher=Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="CNN tour inside SS2 hangar">{{cite web|last1=Crane|first1=Rachel|title=Inside Virgin Galactic's newest passenger spaceship|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/13/tech/virgin-galactic-space-tourism-update/|website=Inside Virgin Galactic's Space Tourism Rocket Factory|date=13 June 2014 |publisher=CNN|access-date=11 September 2015}}</ref> There was speculation in 2004 that Serial Number Two would be named VSS ''Voyager'',<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.economist.com/node/3500237 |title= One small step for space tourism... |date= 16 December 2004 |publisher= The Economist }}</ref> an unofficial name that was repeatedly used in media coverage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roll |first=Erin |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/glen-ridge-resident-helping-to-launch-commercial-spaceflight-1.696763 |title=Glen Ridge resident helping to launch commercial spaceflight |work=NorthJersey.com |date=2013-11-21 |access-date=2015-11-09 }}</ref><ref name="IBT20141031">{{cite news |last=Dean |first=Lewis |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-pilot-dies-after-serious-flight-problem-1472637 |title=Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Crash: Pilot Dies After 'Serious' In-Flight Problem |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=2014-10-31 |access-date=2015-11-09 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Harlow |first=John |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1481365.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_11_08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302121559/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1481365.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_11_08 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2016 |title= Virgin: Our spaceship will be flying by April |work=[[The Sunday Times]] |location=London |date=2014-11-09 |access-date=2015-11-09 }}</ref> The name ''Unity'' was chosen by British physicist [[Stephen Hawking]]. Hawking's eye was also used as the model for the eye logo on the side of ''Unity''.<ref name=USAToday-YoutubeChannel-2015-02-19>{{cite news |author= USA Today |publisher= Youtube |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNn91OnB-8 |title= New Virgin Galactic spacecraft gets rock star unveiling |date= 2016-02-19|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160221012023/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNn91OnB-8|archive-date= 21 February 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Lorenda Ward SpaceShipTwo 2014.jpg|thumb|VSS ''Unity'' under construction]]
The manufacture of ''Unity'' began in 2012.<ref name=NewsDaily-2014-11-05/> The spacecraft's registration, N202VG, was filed in September 2014.<ref name=FAA-N202VG>{{cite web |url= http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=202VG |date= 11 September 2014 |access-date= 2014-11-05 |title= N202VG is Reserved |publisher= FAA |archive-date= 6 November 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141106121323/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=202VG |url-status= dead }}</ref> As of early November 2014, the build of ''Unity'' was about 90 percent structurally complete, and 65 percent complete overall.
<!-- As of October 2014, around the time of VSS ''Enterprise''{{'}}s destruction, VSS ''Voyager'' was about 60% complete.<ref> {{cite news |url= http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-virgin-galactic-spaceship-crashes-during-test-flight-2031089 |title= Virgin Galactic spaceship crashes during test flight, kills one pilot |date= 1 November 2014 |publisher= DNA India |work= Reuters }} </ref> [LEFT THE SECOND SOURCE IN ALSO, AS IT HAS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERCENT COMPLETE FIGURE-->
As of April 2015, ground tests of ''Unity'' were projected to be able to begin as early as late 2015,<ref name=Telegraph-2015-04-21>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11551234/Virgin-Galactic-to-test-new-craft-by-end-of-year.html |title= Virgin Galactic 'to test new craft by end of year' |date= 21 April 2015 |publisher= The Telegraph (London) }}</ref>
after being projected as early as mid-2015 as of November 2014.<ref name=IBT-2014-11-05>{{cite news |url= http://www.ibtimes.com/virgin-galactic-hopes-restart-spaceshiptwo-tests-summer-2015-1719766 |title= Virgin Galactic Hopes To Restart SpaceShipTwo Tests In Summer 2015 |author= Luke Villapaz |date= 5 November 2014 |work= International Business Times }}</ref><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 |access-date= 2014-11-02 |publisher= Newsweek |agency= Reuters |date= 2 November 2014 }}</ref><ref name=NBCnews-2014-11-05>{{cite news |url= http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/next-spaceshiptwo-takes-shape-virgin-galactic-hangar-n242316 |title= The Next SpaceShipTwo Takes Shape in Virgin Galactic Hangar |author= Alan Boyle |date= 5 November 2014 |publisher= NBC News }}</ref>
On 21 May 2015, ''Unity'' reached the milestone of bearing the weight of the airframe on its own wheels.<ref name=NBCNews--2015-05-22>{{cite news |url= http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/its-first-virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-2-0-puts-weight-wheels-n363246 |title= Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo 2.0 Puts 'Weight on Wheels' |date= 22 May 2015 |author= Alan Boyle |publisher= NBC News }}</ref>
The spaceship was unveiled on 19 February 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/19/us/virgin-galactic-new-space-plane/index.html|title=Virgin Galactic unveils new spaceship|date=19 February 2016|website=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219164726/https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/19/us/virgin-galactic-new-space-plane/index.html|archive-date=19 February 2016|access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref> as Virgin Galactic founder Sir [[Richard Branson]] had projected in November 2015; ground and flight testing commenced thereafter.<ref name="11-2015 Mashable Interview">{{cite news |last1=Plautz |first1=Jessica |last2=Kramer |first2=Miriam |url=http://mashable.com/2015/11/02/virgin-galactic-february-spaceshiptwo/ |title=Richard Branson: Virgin Galactic's next space plane is coming in February |work=[[Mashable]] |date=2015-11-02 |access-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.aeronewstv.com/en/industry/research-innovation/3077-virgin-galactic-second-spaceshiptwo-to-be-rolled-out-on-19-february.html |title= Video - Virgin Galactic: second SpaceShipTwo to be rolled out on 19 February |date= 14 January 2016 |publisher= aeronewstv.com }}</ref>

VSS ''Unity'' was the second SpaceShipTwo to be completed; the first, [[VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']], was [[VSS Enterprise crash|destroyed in a crash]] in late October 2014.<ref name="4 May 2015 VG SS2 Construction update" /><ref name="IBT20141031" />

<!-- the rollout in Feb 2016 should probably be a bit better explicated and sourced here -->
After rollout and unveiling, a phase of testing called "[[system integration testing|Integrated Vehicle Ground Testing]]" began on VSS ''Unity'' in February 2016.<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=2016-03-10 |access-date=2016-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120901/http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-testing-testing-1-2-3/ |archive-date=2016-03-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Test flight program===
{{see also|VSS Enterprise#Flight test program}}
VSS ''Unity'' underwent a test regimen similar to VSS ''Enterprise'' and then embarked on testing beyond what ''Enterprise'' experienced. The test flights were expected to be fewer, as ''Enterprise'' had already tested the design's responses under numerous conditions. For each flight test, the [[Scaled Composites White Knight Two|White Knight Two]] aircraft carried ''Unity'' to altitude. Testing began with captive carry flights, in which ''Unity'' was not released from its carrier aircraft. Testing then progressed to free-flight glide testing, and continued with powered test flights.<ref name=SpaceNews-2015-10-14>{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-switching-back-to-rubber-fuel-for-spaceshiptwo/ |title= SpaceShipTwo Bounces Back to Rubber Fuel |author= Jeff Foust |date= 14 October 2015 |publisher= SpaceNews }}</ref>

On 8 September 2016, Virgin Galactic commenced flight testing of ''Unity'' with a captive-carry flight.<ref name="Geekwire 2016-09-08"/> On 1 November 2016, Virgin Galactic conducted another captive-carry flight of ''Unity'' but cancelled the glide portion of the flight 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> On 3 November and 30 November, additional captive-carry flights took place.<ref name="inverse20161104">{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/23203-virgin-galactic-scrubs-spaceshiptwo-glide-test-again|title=Virgin Galactic Looks to Its Next SpaceShipTwo Flight Test|work=inverse.com|date=4 November 2016 |access-date=5 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=virgingalactic110116>{{cite web |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/11/03/minute-scrub-spaceshiptwo-glide-flight/ |title=Last Minute Scrub of SpaceShipTwo Glide Flight |work=parabolicarc.com |date=4 November 2016 |access-date=5 November 2016 |last=Messier |first=Doug |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 name=virgingalactic110316>{{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 |date=1 December 2016 |access-date=5 December 2016 |work=spaceflightinsider.com |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>

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 |date=5 July 2017 |access-date=8 July 2017 |work=Bloomberg |first=Bruce |last=Einhorn}}</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 test 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 |date=7 September 2017 |access-date=8 September 2017 |work=CNBC |first=Michael |last=Sheetz}}</ref> The first powered flight test took place on 5 April 2018 when a 30-second rocket firing accelerated ''Unity'' to a speed of [[Mach number|Mach]] 1.87 and an altitude of {{convert|84271|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://spacenews.com/second-spaceshiptwo-performs-first-powered-test-flight/ Second SpaceShipTwo performs first powered test flight], SpaceNews, Jeff Foust, 5 April 2018</ref><ref name="Grady10Apr18">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/First-Supersonic-Powered-Flight-For-Virgins-Unity-230613-1.html|title = First Supersonic, Powered Flight For Virgin's Unity|access-date = 11 April 2018|last = Grady|first = Mary|work = AVweb|date = 10 April 2018}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The first powered test flight of ''Unity'' exceeded the altitude of all powered test flights of its predecessor, ''Enterprise''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/05/virgin-galactic-completes-first-rocket-powered-test-flight-since-2014/ |access-date=11 April 2018 |date=5 April 2018 |title=Virgin Galactic completes first rocket-powered test flight since 2014 |first=Stephen |last=Clark |website=spaceflightnow.com}}</ref>

[[VSS Unity VP-03|VSS ''Unity'' VP-03]], the first [[suborbital spaceflight]] of VSS ''Unity'' was successfully completed on 13 December 2018, surpassing the {{convert|50|mi|km}} altitude considered the [[Outer space#Boundary|boundary of outer space]] by NASA and the United States Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/virgin-galactic-gets-set-spaceshiptwo-flights-aim-space-high/|title=Virgin Galactic gets set for SpaceShipTwo flights that aim for space — but how high?|date=12 December 2018|website=GeekWire|access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/42725-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-unity-4th-powered-flight-twitter-updates.html|title=Virgin Galactic's 4th Powered Test Flight of SpaceShipTwo Unity in Twitter Posts|first1=Tariq|last1=Malik|website=Space.com|date=13 December 2018 |access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref>

Following its February 2019 flight to space, VSS ''Unity'' began to undergo modifications including installation of the commercial cabin, and changes to cockpit displays.<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>  Upon completion of these modifications, VSS ''Unity'' along with its carrier craft, [[VMS Eve|VMS ''Eve'']], were moved to [[Spaceport America]] in New Mexico in February 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005962/en/ |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic Welcomes SpaceShipTwo Unity to Spaceport America, New Mexico}}</ref> After completing two additional glide tests in New Mexico in May and June 2020, VSS ''Unity'' underwent final modifications to the commercial cabin<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200625005869/en/ |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Completes Second Flight from Spaceport America}}</ref> and in July 2020, Virgin Galactic first publicly showed the interior of the spacecraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-reveals-spaceshiptwo-cabin-interior/ |date=28 July 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic Reveals Spaceshiptwo Cabin Interior |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711035804/https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-reveals-spaceshiptwo-cabin-interior/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Unity'' then continued the test flight program in the years 2020–2023. A notable flight occurred in 2021 when Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson flew aboard ''Unity'' to space. 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.

The flights of VSS ''Unity'' ended mid-2024 to focus the effort on the next generation Delta-class vehicles, expected for 2025–26.<ref>{{cite web |author=[[Jeff Foust]]|url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-to-halt-unity-suborbital-flights-by-mid-2024/ |date=8 November 2023 |access-date=11 November 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic to halt Unity suborbital flights by mid-2024 }}</ref>

=== List of spaceflights by VSS ''Unity'' ===

{| class="wikitable"
|+ VSS ''Unity'' flights into space (above 50 miles)
! style="text-align:left;" | Flight
! 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;"| {{cvt|82.72|km}}
| 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;"| {{cvt|89.9|km}} <ref>{{cite web |last1=Grush |first1=Loren |title=Virgin Galactic spaceplane reaches space with first passenger on board |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18232354/virgin-galactic-vss-unity-spaceplane-test-spaceflight-passenger-beth-moses |website=The Verge |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130183920/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18232354/virgin-galactic-vss-unity-spaceplane-test-spaceflight-passenger-beth-moses |archive-date=30 November 2022 |date=22 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</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]]. Attempted spaceflight<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;" | [[Virgin Galactic Unity 21|VSS ''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;"| {{cvt|89.2|km}}
| 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'' 22]]
|11 July 2021, 15:04 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
| {{Success}}{{efn|name=Ground&resume|The flight was initially claimed to be successful but it was later revealed Unity briefly stepped outside the airspace that had been reserved for it and the FAA were not informed as required. The FAA grounded Virgin Galactic's space planes before allowing a resumption of flights after some changes to procedures including reserving a larger volume of airspace.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58748027 |title=Virgin Galactic cleared to resume space flights |date=30 September 2021 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 3.2
| style="text-align:right;" | {{cvt|86|km}}
|[[David Mackay (pilot)|David Mackay]], [[Michael Masucci]], [[Sirisha Bandla]], [[Colin Bennett (astronaut)|Colin Bennett]], [[Beth Moses]] and [[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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.94<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin Galactic |url=https://www.virgingalactic.com/news/virgin-galactic-completes-successful-spaceflight |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=www.virgingalactic.com}}</ref>
|{{Cvt|87.2|km|mi}}
|[[Michael Masucci]], [[Frederick W. Sturckow]], [[Beth Moses]], Luke Mays, Jamila Gilbert, Christopher Huie 
|-
|[[Galactic 01]]
|29 June 2023, 15:28 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Jonathan McDowell |author-link=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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.88
|{{Cvt|85.1|km|mi}}
|[[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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 3.00
| {{Cvt|88.5|km|mi}}
| [[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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.95
| {{Cvt|88.6|km|mi}}
| [[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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.95
| {{Cvt|87.4|km|mi}}
| [[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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.96
| {{Cvt|87.2|km|mi}}
|[[Michael Masucci]], [[Kelly Latimer]], 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}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.98
| {{Cvt|88.8|km|mi}}
| [[CJ Sturckow]], Nicola Pecile, Lina Borozdina, Robie Vaughn, Franz Haider, Neil Kornswiet
|-
| [[Galactic 07]]
| 8 June 2024
| {{Success}}
| style="text-align:right;" | Mach 2.96
| 87.5 km (54.4 mi)
| Nicola Pecile, [[Jameel Janjua]], [[Tuva Cihangir Atasever]], Giorgio Manenti, Irving (Yitzhak) Pergament, Andy Sadhwani<br/> Final Unity flight
|}

{{notelist}}

===Full list of flights===
{{Excerpt|List of Virgin Galactic launches|VSS ''Unity'' flights|subsections=yes}}

==See also==
{{commons category|VSS Unity}}
* [[Space tourism]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N202VG N202VG Virgin Galactic 1 Flight tracking history log]

{{Virgin Galactic}}
{{Scaled Composites}}
{{The Spaceship Company}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vss Unity}}
[[Category:Virgin Galactic]]<!-- company cat for The Spaceship Company; where TSC is manufacturing the second and subsequent spaceplanes-->
[[Category:Crewed spacecraft]]
[[Category:SpaceShipTwo|Unity]]
[[Category:Rocket-powered aircraft]]
[[Category:Individual spaceplanes]]
[[Category:Space tourism]]
[[Category:Suborbital spaceflight]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2016]]
[[Category:Glider aircraft]]