Virgin Galactic has introduced the VSS Imagine, its first third-generation spaceship in its growing fleet it hopes to use in the future. The spaceship also demonstrates progress toward efficient design and production, as Virgin Galactic works to scale the business for the long-term. VSS Imagine will commence ground testing, with glide flights planned for this summer from Spaceport America in New Mexico.
The breakthrough livery design, finished entirely with a mirror-like material, reflects the surrounding environment, constantly changing color and appearance as it travels from Earth to the sky to space. Along with providing thermal protection, this dynamic material is naturally appealing to the human eye, reflecting our inherent human fascination with space and the transformative experience of spaceflight.
In addition, the SpaceShip III has a modular design that, according to their creators, improves the performance of the previous ones, facilitates their maintenance, and increases their flight capacity.
The VSS Imagine, like the VSS Unity, its predecessor to the SpaceShip II series, can accommodate six passengers and two pilots. These aircraft do not take off from the ground; a huge cargo plane lifts them up to about 15,000 meters and drops them there. At that moment, the engines are activated, and the aircraft is capable, in theory, of reaching 100 km (62 miles) in altitude – a height sufficient to leave the Earth’s atmosphere and that be considered a full-blown space flight.
The introduction of the Spaceship III class of vehicles is an important milestone in Virgin Galactic’s multi-year effort that targets flying 400 flights per year, per spaceport. VSS Imagine is unveiled ahead of VSS Unity’s next test flight, which is planned for May 2021.
“Virgin Galactic spaceships are built specifically to deliver a new, transforming perspective to the thousands of people who will soon be able to experience the wonder of space for themselves,” commented Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic. “As a SpaceShip III class of vehicle, Imagine is not just beautiful to look at, but represents Virgin Galactic’s growing fleet of spaceships. All great achievements, creations, and changes start with an idea. Our hope is for all those who travel to space to return with fresh perspectives and new ideas that will bring positive change to our planet.“
The SpaceShip III is a new opportunity to demonstrate that the objective of having tourist space flights is viable. For now, the VSS Imagine’s mission is to transport cargo, equipment, and scientific personnel that will be able to carry out experiments in zero gravity. But the ultimate goal of the company is to democratize space travel. Branson’s idea is to schedule regular suborbital flights and turn his base in New Mexico into the world’s first spaceport.
