VSS Unity rocket operated by Virgin Galactic lands after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., June 29, 2023.
REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Virgin Galactic on Thursday blasted three tourists to the edge of space aboard its air-launched VSS Unity spaceplane, a live stream showed, the Richard Branson-founded company's second commercial mission as it starts routine flights.
The rocket-powered VSS Unity craft dropped from the carrier plane over New Mexico around 9:20 a.m. local time and blasted its four passengers, a company instructor and three tourists, to an altitude of roughly 55 miles (88.51 km).
Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Mark Porter and Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Jose Luis Gonzalez, Richard Branson, Joey Roulette, Mark Porter, Richard Chang
Organizations:
VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic, America, REUTERS, Galactic, VSS, Thomson
Locations:
New Mexico, U.S