The journey of the suborbital spacecraft “VSS Unity”, which was launched on a carrier aircraft from the spaceport in New Mexico, lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes.
After reaching an altitude of about 45,000 feet with the carrier aircraft, the vehicle reached an altitude of about 90 kilometers by igniting its hybrid-fuel rocket engine.
The suborbital spacecraft “VSS Unity”, including the second Turkish astronaut Atasever, glided to land at 09:40 US local time (18.40 Turkish lira).
The landing of the aircraft at the spaceport in New Mexico, USA, marked the end of the suborbital research flight of Atasever, a member of the 6-person “Galactic 07” team consisting of 4 astronauts and 2 pilots.
The crew, which included Atasever as a research astronaut, included two private astronauts from the USA and one from Italy.
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During the flight, which is expected to last about 1 hour and 10 minutes, the suborbital vehicle “VSS Unity” is expected to reach an altitude of about 45,000 feet via the carrier aircraft and then reach an altitude of about 90 kilometers by igniting the hybrid rocket engine.
Atasever is scheduled to conduct seven scientific experiments in a zero-gravity environment during the free-fall phase of approximately three minutes.
On the other hand, Virgin Galactic's suborbital vehicle “VSS Unity”, including Atasever, which completed its second and 12th flight so far this year, will be retired after this flight. Virgin Galactic will focus on the development of various systems.
“VSS Unity,” Virgin Galactic’s second space flight this year and the twelfth to date, in which Atasever will also participate, will be retired after this flight.
“VSS Unity”, with which Atasever will travel into space, is characterized by a reusable suborbital spacecraft powered by a hybrid propulsion system.
According to information on Virgin Galactic's website, VSS Unity's hybrid rocket engine can reach a speed of three times the speed of sound in about 60 seconds.
Türkiye sends its second astronaut into space.
Astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever will be sent into space on the suborbital research mission VSS Unity from the spaceport in the US state of New Mexico. https://t.co/HOmHicieet
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“VSS Unity” takes off with a specially built, four-engine, double-hull carrier aircraft with high altitude and high payload capacity.
This carrier aircraft, also called a mother ship, can reach an altitude of about 50,000 feet. This altitude is well above the level at which a normal airplane or transport aircraft can fly.
The rocket continues its space journey by igniting its engine
During the “Galactic 07” flight, in which Tuva Cihangir Atasever will also participate, the “VSS Unity” space probe with the carrier vehicle is expected to reach an altitude of about 45,000 feet and then an altitude of about 90 kilometers before the ignition of the hybrid rocket engine.
From the moment the rocket engine stops burning, it is expected to enter the free fall phase and from that moment on microgravity conditions will prevail.
After the free fall phase, which will last about three minutes, the vehicle is expected to re-enter the atmosphere and glide to the runway from which it took off.
Two experienced pilots will lead the flight to ensure a smooth and safe journey to and from space.
Made its first flight in 2018
VSS Unity completed its first space flight on December 13, 2018. During this flight, the vehicle launched from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California and reached space for the first time. The second flight, which took place on February 22, 2019, involved the two Virgin Galactic pilots and a crew member.
The flight system was further tested during the “Unity 21” flight, the first flight from the spaceport, on May 22, 2021.
Virgin Galactic's first fully manned space flight, “Unity 22,” took place on July 11, 2021. Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson took part in the flight alongside three company employees.
The final evaluation of the entire space system and the astronaut experience before the start of commercial service was carried out with the “Unity 25” flight on May 25, 2023.
Virgin Galactic’s first commercial spaceflight with paying passengers, “Galactic 01,” took place on July 29, 2023.
Virgin Galactic is dedicated to producing next-generation Delta spacecraft
While the “Galactic 07” flight, which Atasever will participate in, is important because it will be the last commercial flight of VSS Unity, it will represent a historic turning point as Virgin Galactic dedicates its resources to the production of the new generation Delta spacecraft, which are expected to enter service in 2026.
Virgin Galactic announced on May 6 that it has opened a new systems integration facility for Delta-class spacecraft in Southern California.
The statement said that Delta-class spacecraft were built to carry out 8 space missions per month with a capacity 12 times the monthly capacity of VSS Unity.
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