{"id":16115,"date":"2018-05-31T12:53:58","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T16:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=16115"},"modified":"2018-05-31T12:53:58","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T16:53:58","slug":"videos-virgin-galactics-unity-rocketplane-makes-second-powered-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=16115","title":{"rendered":"Videos: Virgin Galactic’s “Unity” rocketplane makes second powered flight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virgin Galactic<\/a> is carrying out a series of test flights of the VSS Unity<\/em> suborbital rocketplane. Each test is going faster and higher with the aim of reaching space (greater than 80 km height<\/a> as they define it) before the end of this year. On Wednesday, Unity made the second flight with its hybrid motor firing:\u00a0Richard Branson Welcomes VSS Unity Home from Second Supersonic Flight – Virgin Galactic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The focus of today\u2019s flight was to expand our understanding of the spaceship\u2019s supersonic handling characteristics and control system\u2019s performance with vehicle parameters that were closer to the ultimate commercial configuration. This involved shifting the vehicle\u2019s center of gravity rearward via the addition of passenger seats and related equipment. The rocket motor burned for the planned 31 seconds and propelled Unity to a speed of Mach 1.9 and an altitude of 114,500 ft.[34.9 km]. As will be the case for future commercial flights, Unity\u2019s unique re-entry\u00a0feathering system<\/a>\u00a0was deployed for the initial descent before the final glide home to a smooth runway landing.<\/em><\/p>\n