Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Virgin Galactic Gets FAA's OK to Launch Customers to Space
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
June 25, 2021

Share

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Virgin Galactic finally has the federal government’s approval to start launching customers into space from New Mexico.

Richard Branson’s rocketship company announced the Federal Aviation Administration’s updated license on Friday.

It’s the final hurdle in Virgin Galactic’s yearslong effort to send paying passengers on short space hops.

The company is working toward three more space test flights this summer and early fall, before opening the rocketship’s doors to paying customers. The original plans called for company engineers to launch next to evaluate equipment, followed by a flight with Branson and then a science mission by Italian Air Force officers.

Branson vs. Bezos

In the meantime, Blue Origin’s Jeff Bezos earlier this month announced plans to ride his own rocket into space July 20 from Texas.

Virgin Galactic officials acknowledged the growing chatter over whether Branson will try to beat Bezos into space.

“Clearly, Sir Richard Branson’s flight date has been subject to speculation for some time. At this time we do not have any further details on the upcoming flight dates,” company spokeswoman Aleanna Crane wrote in an email.

Unlike Blue Origin’s and SpaceX’s fully automated capsules launched from the ground by reusable rockets, Virgin Galactic uses a winged spacecraft that launches from the belly of an airplane and requires a pair of pilots. It’s reached space three times since 2018. The second trip carried a third company employee.

Successful Flight Paves Way for FAA Permission

A review of the company’s third flight to space in May — which reached an altitude of 55 miles (89 kilometers) — showed everything went well and paved the way for the necessary FAA permission.

“Today’s approval by the FAA of our full commercial launch license, in conjunction with the success of our May 22 test flight, give us confidence as we proceed toward our first fully crewed test flight this summer,” chief executive officer Michael Colglazier said in a statement.

More than 600 people already have reserved a ride to space. Tickets initially cost $250,000, but the price is expected to go up once Virgin Galactic starts accepting reservations again.

Blue Origin has yet to sell tickets to the public or say what it will cost. Bezos is taking his brother and two others along for the ride on July 20, the 52nd anniversary of the first human moon landing.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

American Doctors Are Moving to Canada To Escape the Trump Administration

2 More Attacks on Jews Heighten Concerns About Security in and Around US Synagogues

52 minutes ago

Mexican 4-Year-Old Is Granted Humanitarian Parole to Continue Receiving Lifesaving Care in US

1 hour ago

Trump: Putin Said Russia Would Respond to Ukraine Drone Attacks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump in a telephone conversation on Wednesday that Moscow would have to ...

28 minutes ago

President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they meet in Helsinki, Finland July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
28 minutes ago

Trump: Putin Said Russia Would Respond to Ukraine Drone Attacks

29 minutes ago

It’s Expensive to Become a Teacher in California. This Bill Would Pay Those Who Try

Deanna Michelle Whitworth is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for June 4, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
50 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Deanna Michelle Whitworth

52 minutes ago

2 More Attacks on Jews Heighten Concerns About Security in and Around US Synagogues

1 hour ago

Mexican 4-Year-Old Is Granted Humanitarian Parole to Continue Receiving Lifesaving Care in US

1 hour ago

Suspect Arrested in Connection With Deadly California Fertility Clinic Bombing

1 hour ago

Wall Street Ticks Higher as Tech Boost Offsets Economic Worries

2 hours ago

Machado and Padres Rally to Beat Giants in 10 Innings Again

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend