Virgin Galactic Completes First Human Spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico

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Welcomes Astronauts and Payloads Dwelling After Third Spaceflight

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“The Firm or Virgin Galactic”) at this time accomplished its third spaceflight and the primary ever spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico. At the moment’s flight sees New Mexico turn into the third US state to launch people into house.

VSS Unity achieved a velocity of Mach 3 after being launched from the mothership, VMS Eve, and reached house, at an altitude of 55.45 miles earlier than gliding easily to a runway touchdown at Spaceport America.

On VSS Unity’s flight deck had been CJ Sturckow and Dave Mackay, whereas Kelly Latimer and Michael Masucci piloted VMS Eve. CJ, who flew as pilot-in-command, turns into the primary particular person ever to have flown to house from three completely different states. The crew skilled extraordinary views of the intense, blue-rimmed curvature of the earth towards the blackness of house. New Mexico’s White Sands Nationwide Park sparkled brilliantly beneath. Their expertise at this time offers Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut prospects a glimpse of what lies forward.

Michael Colglazier, Chief Government Officer of Virgin Galactic, mentioned: “At the moment’s flight showcased the inherent magnificence and security of our spaceflight system, whereas marking a serious step ahead for each Virgin Galactic and human spaceflight in New Mexico. House journey is a daring and adventurous endeavor, and I’m extremely happy with our gifted workforce for making the dream of personal house journey a actuality. We’ll instantly start processing the information gained from this profitable take a look at flight, and we stay up for sharing information on our subsequent deliberate milestone.”

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Virgin Galactic fulfilled quite a few take a look at aims through the flight, together with:

Following the flight, and in keeping with regular procedures, Virgin Galactic will conduct a evaluate of all take a look at information gathered and totally examine the spaceship and mothership. As soon as the workforce confirms the outcomes, the Firm plans to proceed to the subsequent flight take a look at milestone.

To have a good time the primary human spaceflight from New Mexico, the Zia Solar Image of New Mexico’s state flag was positioned prominently on the outside of the Spaceship. As well as, we flew inexperienced chile seeds, that are synonymous with the state’s wealthy agricultural and culinary historical past.

“Fifteen years in the past, New Mexico launched into a journey to create the world’s first industrial spaceport,’’ mentioned Sir Richard Branson. ‘’At the moment, we launched the primary human spaceflight from that exact same place, marking an vital milestone for each Virgin Galactic and New Mexico. I’m happy with the workforce for his or her laborious work and grateful to the individuals of New Mexico who’ve been unwavering of their dedication for industrial spaceflight from day one. Their perception and help have made at this time’s historic achievement attainable.”

Governor Lujan Grisham mentioned: “After so a few years and a lot laborious work, New Mexico has lastly reached the celebrities. Our state’s scientific legacy has been honored by this vital achievement, one which took guts and religion and an unwavering perception in what New Mexico can obtain — and certainly is destined to realize. I can’t wait to see what comes subsequent. We’re on the leading edge, the forefront of innovation, and I plan to do the whole lot in my energy to maintain us there, taking full benefit of our sturdy financial and scientific potential. On behalf of proud New Mexicans in all places, I’m extremely grateful to so many devoted and visionary collaborators on this effort, not least Sir Richard Branson and former Governor Invoice Richardson, your entire Virgin Galactic workforce and Spaceport workforce who made attainable this long-awaited day.”

“The Spaceport has all the time been about the way forward for New Mexico,” mentioned former Governor Invoice Richardson. “Our state and our individuals have a protracted monitor file of inspiring innovation and being catalysts for nationwide advances in science and know-how. So a lot of New Mexico’s kids will profit from each the tutorial alternatives and the profession alternatives that the house trade presents. I need to congratulate the workforce at Virgin Galactic for this historic achievement at this time. This dream started with a handshake between Sir Richard Branson and me, and I’ll all the time be grateful to him for recognizing that New Mexico can and ought to be the bottom for the house trade. I need to acknowledge Rick Homans, who was important within the creation of the Spaceport. And thanks to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to your dedication to the way forward for New Mexico and to the Spaceport.”

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“The Zia Solar Image is one in every of our most sacred symbols, central to the Pueblo of Zia,” mentioned Governor Frederick Medina. “We’re happy that Virgin Galactic reached out to our Pueblo for permission to make the most of this iconic image of the state of New Mexico. It’s an honor to work with Virgin Galactic and to know that part of Zia Pueblo shall be touring to house.”

This spaceflight was carried out underneath strict COVID-19 protocols.

You may obtain all press supplies together with photos and broll from the Virgin Galactic Press Assets

About Virgin Galactic Holdings

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is a vertically built-in aerospace and house journey firm, pioneering human spaceflight for personal people and researchers, in addition to a producer of superior air and house automobiles. It’s growing a spaceflight system designed to supply prospects a novel and transformative expertise. You could find extra info at https://www.virgingalactic.com/

Ahead-Wanting Statements

This press launch incorporates sure forward-looking statements throughout the that means of federal securities legal guidelines with respect to Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the “Firm”), together with statements concerning the Firm’s spaceflight programs, markets and anticipated flight schedule. These forward-looking statements typically are recognized by phrases similar to “consider,” “challenge,” “count on,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “technique,” “future,” “alternative,” “plan,” “could,” “ought to,” “will,” “would,” and comparable expressions. Ahead-looking statements are predictions, projections and different statements about future occasions which are primarily based on present expectations and assumptions and, consequently, are topic to dangers and uncertainties. Many elements might trigger precise future occasions to vary materially from the forward-looking statements on this press launch, together with however not restricted to the elements, dangers and uncertainties included in Modification No. 2 to our Annual Report on Kind 10-Okay for the fiscal 12 months ended December 31, 2020, as such elements could also be up to date once in a while in our different filings with the Securities and Alternate Fee (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations part of our web site at www.virgingalactic.com. These filings determine and deal with different vital dangers and uncertainties that would trigger the Firm’s precise occasions and outcomes to vary materially from these contained within the forward-looking statements. Ahead-looking statements communicate solely as of the date they’re made. Readers are cautioned to not put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, besides as required by regulation, the Firm assumes no obligation and doesn’t intend to replace or revise these forward-looking statements, whether or not on account of new info, future occasions, or in any other case.

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