Virgin Galactic Spacecraft Makes Free Flight Above Desert

The spaceship Enterprise made a solo flight and landing, marking another step in Virgin Galactic’s plans to take paying passengers into sub-orbital space. The Enterprise was released from its mothership at 45,000 above the Mojave Air & Space Port and flew freely for about 11 minutes before landing. The craft is undergoing rigorous testing prior to taking passengers on flights, which will originate from New Mexico. Virgin Galactic will continue with its experimental program, obtain its Federal Aviation Administration license and bring the system into service in New Mexico, said CEO George Whitesides.