Virgin Galactic sets next launch date
August 30, 2023
By Chris Forrester
Space tourism business Virgin Galactic has set September 8th as the probable date for its next sub-orbital launch.
It will be the third commercial launch for the Sir Richard Branson-backed business. It will be the fourth successful flight in four months.
‘Galactic 3’ has a launch window opening on September 8thvirgin subject to weather and technical considerations. The flight will carry Virgin’s ‘Founder Astronauts’ who are all early ticket buyers of the company’s flight experiences.
“The ‘Galactic 03’ crew bought their tickets as early as 2005 and, since then, have been an active part of the Company’s vibrant Future Astronaut community. This community – comprised of approximately 800 individuals representing over 60 different countries – enjoys access to distinctive experiences designed to inspire and to enrich their spaceflight experience,” says Virgin.
The pilots for ‘Galactic 03’ are VSS Unity Commander, Nicola Pecile, and VSS Unity Pilot, Michael Masucci; the Astronaut Instructor is Colin Bennett.
In the past twelve weeks, Virgin Galactic has introduced eleven new astronauts to the world. Following the ‘Galactic 03’ spaceflight, the customers on board would become Virgin Galactic astronauts 014, 015 and 016.