SpaceShipTwo: A Suborbital Vehicle for Human Spaceflight and Microgravity Research

Paper number

IAC-16,B3,2,5,x33054

Coauthor

Ms. Sirisha Bandla, Virgin Galactic L.L.C, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Barry Matsumori, Virgin Galactic L.L.C, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Steve Isakowitz, Virgin Galactic L.L.C, United States

Coauthor

Mr. William Pomerantz, Virgin Galactic L.L.C, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Richard DalBello, Virgin Galactic, LLC, United States

Coauthor

Mr. A.C. Charania, Virgin Galactic, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Mandy Vaughn, Virgin Galactic, LLC, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Hanna Kubiak, Virgin Galactic, LLC, United States

Year

2016

Abstract

Virgin Galactic, a privately funded company based in the United States, is on track to become the world’s first commercial spaceline. Virgin Galactic is currently developing and testing SpaceShipTwo, a reusable vehicle designed to reach space altitudes on frequent, affordable, and safe suborbital voyages. 

SpaceShipTwo will fly operational flights out of Spaceport America in New Mexico, carrying both spaceflight participants and research payloads. The platform can be utilized by a variety of customers, including tourists, researchers, and educators. Recently, SpaceShipTwo, the VSS Unity, was rolled out at our Mojave, CA, USA facility and will soon begin its test flight program. 

This presentation will provide status updates and a technical overview on SpaceShipTwo and Virgin Galactic’s business, with a focus on relevant opportunities for the IAC audience.

Abstract document

IAC-16,B3,2,5,x33054.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-16,B3,2,5,x33054.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.