The Virgin Galactic spacecraft sets a new speed and altitude record

Washington: A Virgin Galactic spaceship touched the edge of space for the second time in three months, reaching the highest speed and altitude so far and shipping a third member of the ship. crew for the first time, announced the American company.

The VSS Unity spacecraft – the fifth test flight powered by a Virgin Galactic supersonic rocket – was also carrying NASA payloads.

Chief pilot Dave Mackay and co-pilot Michael Masucci become commercial astronauts and the 569th and 570th humans in space, the company said in a statement.

Beth Moses, chief instructor of Virgin Galactic's astronaut, was the third crew member to participate in a first live badessment of cabin dynamics, he said.

Moses became the 571st person to fly in space and the first woman aboard a commercial spaceship.

In addition to this envelope extension element, VSS Unity flew higher and faster than ever, while its world-record hybrid rocket engine propelled the spacecraft to Mach 3.04 at an apogee of 295,007 feet .

The crew enjoyed an amazing view of the Earth from the dark skies of space and for several minutes of weightlessness. Moses floated to complete a number of cabin evaluation test points.

Human validation of data previously collected via sensors, as well as live testing of other physical elements from inside the cabin, are essential to creating a safe and enjoyable customer experience, said Virgin Galactic in a statement. communicated.

"Stealing the same vehicle safely in space twice in just over two months, while expanding the flight envelope, testifies to the unique capability we've built within Virgin Galactic organizations and The Spaceship Company, "said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic.