Aerospace

Virgin Galactic announces start of commercial spaceflight service

A commercial space flight service has officially begun, according to Virgin Galactic. Galactic 01’s first commercial revenue-generating mission flight window opens on June 27, 2023, with options to fly through June 30.

Virgin Galactic unveils new spaceship 2 ..!(Opens in a new browser tab)

After completing the Unity 25 voyage, as well as any necessary follow-up studies and vehicle inspections, Virgin Galactic’s crew and vehicles are prepared to launch their first paying clients into space. Three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy will travel on Galactic 01 to undertake microgravity research. The value and strength of Virgin Galactic’s special suborbital science lab will be demonstrated by carrying scientific payloads on its first-ever commercial mission.

Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson says he will be in space in six months(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier, “We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products – our scientific research and private astronaut space missions.” “Innovation, tenacity, and a dedication to providing an unequaled and genuinely transformative customer experience have driven this next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic,” the company said.

The second commercial spaceflight, ‘Galactic 02,’ will follow in early August 2023, with monthly spaceflights expected by Virgin Galactic thereafter.

.@VirginGalactic announces the start of commercial spaceflight service with #Galactic01 flight this month. A huge well done to the team, so excited for our astronauts to inspire more people to look to the stars. https://t.co/MDJjwKQj74 pic.twitter.com/9NtxSdDJMo
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) June 15, 2023

Livestreams for Galactic 01 and Galactic 02 will be available on virgingalactic.com, and information regarding the crew and manifest for the inaugural flights will be made public ahead of each voyage.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.