Virgin Galactic Space Vehicle Takes First Flight

Commercial space vehicle VSS Enterprise made its first flight on March 22 at the Mojave Air & Space Port. The craft, built by Scaled Composites and owned by Virgin Galactic, was carried to 45,000 feet by its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve during the two hour flight above the deserts of the Antelope Valley. “The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test program,” said Scaled owner Burt Rutan. The Enterprise was unveiled to the public in December and is the flagship craft of billionaire Richard Branson’s commercial space venture that will take passenger into sub-orbital space. The testing of Enterprise will continue into 2011, progressing from captive carry to independent glide and then powered flight. Mark R. Madler