Rolling Out
Virgin Galactic's newest suborbital space plane completed its second rocket-powered test flight on May 29, 2018. See photos here and read our full story (and see a video!) here. VSS Unity and its carrier aircraft, known as VMS Eve, roll out in the predawn light on May 29, 2018.
Taking Off
VMS Eve, Virgin Galactic's mothership for its SpaceShipTwo fleet, carries Unity aloft.
Watching from the Ground
Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson (center) and company CEO George Whitesides (left) chat during Unity's test flight.
Powering Up
After being released by VMS Eve, Unity blasts itself upward using its onboard rocket motor.
Flame Tail
Unity fired its engine for 31 seconds during the flight, as planned. The vehicle reached a top speed of Mach 1.9 and a maximum altitude of 114,500 feet (34,900 meters).
SpaceShipTwo Unity Feathers Its Tail
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Unity's tail boom is seen in its "feathered" position to maintain stability during its descent in a successful rocket-powered test flight on May 29, 2018 over California's Mojave Desert.
Wheels Down
VSS Unity touches down, ending the test flight.
Celebrating Success
Branson and other Virgin Galactic team members celebrate a successful test flight.
Sir Richard Branson Celebrates SpaceShipTwo
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic's billionaire founder (center), celebrates after the successful second powered flight test of the VSS Unity space plane over California's Mojave Desert on May 29, 2018.
How Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Passenger Space Plane Works (Infographic)
SpaceShipTwo will carry six passengers up past 328,000 feet altitude (100 kilometers), the point where astronaut wings are awarded. See how Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo works in this SPACE.com infographic.
