The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite travel exploration of space and in creating the conditions for a new space age, where it will operate alongside and in partnership with the private sector. While today’s awards ceremony is, of course, a proud moment for our wonderful pilots and the whole Virgin Galactic team, it is also symbolic of an enabling regulatory framework that allows for innovation while prioritising safety. It is this which has allowed us to pursue our dreams and which will ultimately underpin our commercial success as we seek to democratise space for the benefit of humankind.” The historic accomplishment made by Virgin Galactic and the pilots was also recognised by the NASA Flight Opportunities Program which flew four space science and technology experiments on VSS Unity, making this Virgin Galactic’s first revenue generating flight. It was an amazing and memorable experience that was witnessed by a large crowd of staff and their families, as well as special guests and media that saw a 60 second planned rocket motor burn which propelled VSS Unity to almost three times the speed of sound and to an apogee of 51.4 miles. The moment VSS Unity coasted upwards through the black sky and into space, Virgin Galactic Mission Control confirmed their ascension and congratulated astronaut pilots Forger and CJ with the words, “Unity, Welcome to Space”. Upon their return, the Mach 2.5 supersonic re-entry into the atmosphere utilised Uni- ty’s unique ‘feathering’ configuration and both astro- nauts guided the spaceship down to a smooth runway landing and an emotional homecoming welcome. Images courtesy of Image.net