Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space plane has conducted the first of three key test flights that should enable it to enter commercial ser

Virgin Galactic rocket plane flies to edge of space

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2021-05-23 04:00:06

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space plane has conducted the first of three key test flights that should enable it to enter commercial service.

The Unity vehicle, with pilots Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow at the controls, powered to a height of 89km (55 miles), and then glided back down to Earth.

The licensing process is the responsibility of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who will now receive operational and performance data from Saturday's sortie high above the New Mexico desert.

Officials will want to see, for example, that an electronic interference issue that aborted a previous flight attempt in December, has been corrected. On the evidence of Saturday's successful flight, it has been.

Delighted to be on the flightline to watch @VirginGalactic’s first human spaceflight from the majestic Spaceport America @Spaceport_NM #UNITY21 pic.twitter.com/FcpCxJcjqS

Unity was carried to 13km (44,000ft) in altitude by its "mother" aircraft, Eve, before being released to ignite its rocket motor.