SpaceShipTwo blends innovative air-launch tech with advanced materials and a custom passenger cabin. Its feathered re-entry system and hybrid propulsion set it apart from old-school rocket designs.
SpaceShipTwo launches in two stages. The WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft—a twin-fuselage mothership—brings the spaceplane up to 50,000 feet.
Once it releases, SpaceShipTwo fires up its hybrid rocket motor. This engine burns for about 70 seconds, pushing the craft over 2,500 mph. Passengers hit Mach 3 during the climb.
Feathered Re-entry System
The design’s standout feature? Rotating tail booms that swing 90 degrees upward on descent. This move creates huge drag and keeps the vehicle stable, kind of like a badminton shuttlecock. No need for the heavy, complicated heat shields you see on other spacecraft.
Virgin Galactic wanted this feathered system to boost safety during re-entry. At 70,000 feet, SpaceShipTwo goes back to glider mode for the final descent.
The cabin stretches 60 feet long, with a wingspan of 27 feet. SpaceShipTwo fits six passengers and two pilots up front.
Big panoramic windows are everywhere. Each seat gets its own viewing port, so everyone can soak in views of Earth and space. The windows even reach from floor to overhead.
Interior Configuration
Seats recline fully, helping passengers handle G-forces during powered flight. There aren’t any overhead bins or storage. Engineers ditched those to make more room for the weightlessness experience.
The Spaceship Company filled the cabin with padded surfaces. That way, when folks float around in microgravity, they don’t bump into anything hard. Climate control systems keep the temperature comfortable, whether you’re on the ground or in space.
SpaceShipTwo relies on carbon composite materials for its main structure. These composites keep things light but strong enough for air-launch.
The hybrid rocket motor burns nitrous oxide and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene. This fuel combo is safer to handle than traditional liquid rocket fuels. The motor pushes out about 60,000 pounds of thrust during its burn.
Manufacturing Standards
The Spaceship Company builds the craft in California, sticking to strict aerospace standards. Every vehicle goes through heavy ground testing before anyone flies it. Virgin Galactic insists on multiple unmanned tests before letting passengers onboard.
Thermal protection comes from specialized coatings, not ablative tiles. These materials survive re-entry heat and can be reused for several flights.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo cabin mixes advanced engineering with passenger comfort. You’ll find six custom reclining seats, 12 passenger windows, and slick cabin systems built for weightlessness. The pressurized cabin includes live flight displays, automatic lighting, and mirrors to amp up the space tourism vibe.
SpaceShipTwo’s six passenger seats are custom-built from aluminum and carbon fiber. Each one reclines to different positions depending on the phase of flight.
Passengers ride out the high g-forces at launch and landing in comfort. When it’s time for weightlessness, the seats make more space by reclining out of the way.
Under Armour made the breathable fabric for these seats. It matches the custom spacesuits everyone wears during the flight.
Seat Configuration:
If SpaceShipTwo flies a research mission, the team can swap out seats for scientific gear.
You’ll find 12 passenger windows and 5 cockpit windows—17 viewing ports in all. Each window has a foam border for passengers to grab onto while floating.
The layout lets people move around easily during weightlessness. You can float from window to window and check out Earth from every angle.
A big cabin mirror lets passengers watch themselves floating. It’s a neat trick—no waiting for video playback.
With so many windows, everyone gets a great view. No one’s stuck with just one angle during the zero-g phase.
Every seat has a personal display screen right in the seatback. These show real-time flight data instead of movies or games.
Display Information:
Sixteen cameras sit throughout the cabin, capturing everything during weightlessness. Passengers don’t have to worry about filming anything themselves.
More cameras are in the cockpit and outside the craft. The whole flight gets recorded from multiple perspectives.
LED lighting changes color automatically during each part of the flight. Calming colors fill the cabin during the climb to altitude.
When the rocket fires, the lights shift to bolder colors. It matches the excitement of the moment.
During weightlessness, the cabin lights switch off. All you see is Earth’s light streaming in through the windows.
The color scheme mixes gold, blue, and teal—meant to echo deserts, space, and oceans. Seymourpowell, a design firm, came up with the lighting and colors. The system runs on its own, so passengers don’t need to do a thing.
SpaceShipTwo gives passengers managed acceleration, a few minutes of true weightlessness, and plenty of high-quality recordings to relive it all. The cabin design aims for comfort during high g-forces and freedom when gravity disappears.
Passengers feel strong g-forces during boost and reentry. The seats recline automatically—pilots handle it—to put everyone in the best spot for each phase.
During rocket boost, you’ll feel about 3.5 g’s pressing you back. The seat’s foam and technical fabric help spread out the pressure.
The reclining seats do double duty. They reduce the strain during acceleration and open up more space once you’re floating.
Under Armour’s 3D knit fabric keeps things breathable, even when the g-forces hit. The pilots manage all the seat adjustments, so passengers can just focus on the ride.
At the top of the flight, you get about four minutes of weightlessness. The cabin’s shape makes it easy to float around.
SpaceShipTwo’s cabin is roomy enough for everyone to move freely. Soft surfaces double as handholds and footholds, so you can control your movement.
Twelve big windows offer a wraparound view. The “Halo” surrounds on the windows give you a comfortable spot to position yourself and take in the sights.
A circular mirror on the back wall lets you watch yourself floating, lit by Earth’s glow. Every cabin feature comes into play during this phase, making the float zone the highlight for most people.
Sixteen cabin cameras record every moment, along with extra cameras in the cockpit and outside. You’ll get high-def footage as a keepsake.
Your seatback screen shows live flight data—altitude, speed, and where you are in the journey.
Passengers can talk directly with the two pilots through built-in audio systems. The crew gives real-time updates and tips as the flight progresses.
The camera setup covers everything, from social media clips to polished personal documentaries. You see both your own reactions and the big picture.
Mood lighting coordinates with the cameras to make sure the video looks great. When Earth comes into view, the lights go dark so you can focus on the scene outside.
SpaceShipTwo runs on a hybrid rocket engine called RocketMotorTwo. It mixes solid fuel with liquid oxidizer for controlled thrust. The engine puts out 310 kilonewtons of thrust and has a specific impulse of 250 seconds during its 60-second burn.
RocketMotorTwo uses hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as solid fuel and liquid nitrous oxide as oxidizer. Together, they form what engineers call an N2O/HTPB motor.
The hybrid design is a lot safer than older rocket engines. Unlike solid rockets, which can’t shut down once lit, this hybrid lets pilots stop combustion anytime. The oxidizer flows through the fuel grain, creating controlled combustion.
Virgin Galactic developed the current version after trying out a polyamide plastic fuel in 2014. They switched back to HTPB in 2015 when tests showed better performance with rubber-based fuel.
The rocket motor fires up right after SpaceShipTwo separates from WhiteKnightTwo at about 47,000 feet. Combustion starts by opening the oxidizer valve and lighting igniters inside the fuel case.
The engine produces 310 kilonewtons of thrust—around 70,000 pounds-force. This power takes SpaceShipTwo from subsonic to supersonic in just seconds.
Liquid nitrous oxide sits in pressurized tanks inside the craft. During flight, the oxidizer flows through injectors into the combustion chamber and meets the solid HTPB fuel.
SpaceShipTwo’s propulsion system went through a ton of ground tests before flying. Sierra Nevada Corporation ran over 300 hybrid rocket tests to nail down the motor’s performance and safety.
A custom rocket motor controller runs the show. It manages oxidizer flow, ignition timing, and shutdown. Ground tests proved the motor could burn for over 60 seconds before it ever left the ground.
The rocket motor delivers a specific impulse of 250 seconds, pushing exhaust out at 2.5 kilometers per second. This number basically shows how well the propulsion system turns propellant into thrust.
SpaceShipTwo usually burns its rocket for about 60 seconds. In that short time, it accelerates from subsonic speeds up to around Mach 3, climbing toward space.
During the first powered test flight in April 2013, the team fired the engine for 16 seconds and hit Mach 1.2. Later flights stretched the burn to reach higher speeds and altitudes.
The hybrid design keeps combustion stable for the entire burn. The solid fuel grain offers a steady surface for oxidizer, while the liquid injection system keeps the mix just right.
This stability lets SpaceShipTwo deliver consistent performance from flight to flight.
SpaceShipTwo gets its ride to 50,000 feet from WhiteKnightTwo, a twin-fuselage carrier that sets up a safe, efficient launch. The mothership brings the spacecraft to just the right spot before the rocket engine takes over.
WhiteKnightTwo forms the backbone of Virgin Galactic‘s air-launch system. It has a huge 43-meter wingspan, with two fuselages joined by a central wing.
Four jet engines—two on each wing—power the mothership. They give WhiteKnightTwo enough muscle to lift SpaceShipTwo up to release altitude.
The spacecraft hangs beneath the center wing section, right between the two fuselages. This spot keeps SpaceShipTwo steady on the way up.
Key specifications:
WhiteKnightTwo hauls SpaceShipTwo, six passengers, and two crew up to altitude. The total payload can reach about 33,000 pounds.
Once WhiteKnightTwo hits 50,000 feet, pilots check everything before releasing the spacecraft. They use a mechanical system to drop SpaceShipTwo, which falls away for a few seconds.
About 70 seconds after release, the hybrid rocket engine fires up. This gap gives SpaceShipTwo time to safely clear the mothership.
The engine kicks out 60,000 pounds of thrust. SpaceShipTwo rockets from subsonic speeds to 2,500 mph in a little over a minute.
Twelve cold gas thrusters help steer during powered flight, using compressed air to keep the spacecraft pointed right when regular control surfaces lose effectiveness.
WhiteKnightTwo climbs to 15.5 kilometers (50,000 feet) before letting SpaceShipTwo go. That altitude keeps the flight above most air traffic and weather.
After rocket ignition, SpaceShipTwo climbs to 100 kilometers (328,000 feet)—the Karman Line, where passengers earn astronaut wings.
The spacecraft can reach as high as 110 kilometers (361,000 feet). At the top, passengers get about five minutes of weightlessness before heading back down.
From release to peak altitude, the climb takes around 8-10 minutes. After the rocket shuts down, SpaceShipTwo coasts upward, using its momentum to reach the highest point.
Flight phases:
This air-launch method means SpaceShipTwo doesn’t need to carry as much fuel as a ground-launched rocket. WhiteKnightTwo handles the tough climb through thick atmosphere.
SpaceShipTwo uses a feathered wing system that rotates the tail upward for re-entry. This move creates huge drag, letting the spacecraft drop like a shuttlecock instead of relying on classic heat shields.
Pilots activate the feathered re-entry system in two steps. First, they unlock the mechanism at the right altitude. Then, they deploy the feather mode, swinging the tail booms up to 65 degrees.
After reaching peak altitude, the pilots engage the feather system. The twin tail booms pivot upward, making the vehicle look a bit like a badminton shuttlecock.
The feather mechanism totally changes the aerodynamics. Pilots can even take their hands off the controls on the way down, since the system keeps things stable. The spacecraft lines up nose-first and descends smoothly.
Virgin Galactic designed this as a passive safety feature. It doesn’t need constant pilot attention or fancy computers. The feathered configuration keeps the vehicle pointed the right way by itself.
The feathered setup creates tons of drag, which slows SpaceShipTwo down fast. This acts like a natural brake, making the ride down much gentler than what you’d get in a traditional capsule.
Stability comes from the shuttlecock effect. When the tail rotates up, the center of pressure shifts behind the center of gravity, keeping everything steady.
Temperatures stay lower than what most spacecraft face. The feathered wings spread out the heat and slow the vehicle during the hottest part of re-entry.
SpaceShipTwo can “float like a feather” back to Earth. Passengers get a smooth, controlled descent, not the punishing forces of a ballistic re-entry. This gentle approach is easier on both the ship and the people inside.
Old-school spacecraft use ablative heat shields that burn away to protect against crazy-high temperatures—over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. They do the job but hit hard and need replacing after every flight.
SpaceShipTwo’s feathered system avoids extreme heating by using drag instead. The vehicle never faces the crushing g-forces of capsule re-entries, so passengers stay comfortable.
Reusability is a big win here. Classic heat shields get wrecked or burned off, but the feathered wings just rotate back down and they’re good to go again.
This system allows for quick turnaround between flights. Virgin Galactic even pulled off three test flights in 12 days. With traditional spacecraft, you’d spend ages fixing heat shields and dealing with re-entry damage.
SpaceShipTwo sticks to tight engineering specs for passenger transport, weight limits, and performance. It carries up to eight people, keeps mass under control, and hits speeds over three times the speed of sound.
Two professional pilots run the cockpit, handling all flight operations. They train extensively on the hybrid rocket motor and the feathered re-entry system.
The passenger cabin fits six space tourists, each with a seat designed for suborbital flight. Every seat comes with big windows for viewing Earth during weightlessness.
This eight-person setup strikes a balance between commercial viability and safety. Virgin Galactic wanted to give everyone personal attention while also spreading out the costs.
Passengers get about four minutes of weightlessness at the top. The cabin lets them float freely, and the pilots keep an eye on safety the whole time.
SpaceShipTwo weighs 9,200 kilograms empty and tops out at 22,700 kilograms fully loaded. That 13,500-kilogram difference covers the fuel, crew, and passengers.
The spacecraft is 18.3 meters long with an 8.4-meter wingspan. The cabin has enough room for six adults to float around during zero gravity.
Weight distribution is critical during ascent. Each passenger and their stuff must stay within limits to keep the center of gravity where it should be.
The hybrid rocket motor eats up most of the mass budget. The solid rubber fuel and liquid nitrous oxide give the thrust needed to reach space, while keeping the system simpler than a liquid rocket.
SpaceShipTwo hits Mach 3.5 during rocket-powered ascent, which is about 4,200 kilometers per hour. It jumps from subsonic to supersonic in just eight seconds after ignition.
The spacecraft tops out at 110 kilometers altitude, well past the 100-kilometer line that marks the edge of space. From there, passengers can see Earth’s curve and the black of space.
The flight starts with an air-launch from WhiteKnightTwo at 13,500 meters. SpaceShipTwo fires its rocket for about 60 seconds to reach peak speed and altitude.
On the way down, the feathered wings slow it before it switches to gliding. The vehicle lands on a regular runway, wrapping up the suborbital trip.
SpaceShipTwo passengers go through thorough pre-flight preparation, equipment training, and get post-flight recognition similar to real astronauts. Virgin Galactic’s training helps civilians get ready for weightlessness and the quirks of suborbital spaceflight.
Virgin Galactic holds detailed safety briefings before every flight. Passengers learn about the spacecraft’s systems and emergency procedures.
The briefing covers cabin layout and where to find safety equipment. Passengers practice emergency moves and communication drills with the crew.
Instructors walk through the whole flight timeline, from rocket ignition to the return to Earth.
All passengers must meet health requirements. There’s a 275-pound weight limit for safety.
Medical screening checks for issues that could get worse in space, like high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Passengers wear custom-fitted flight suits for the trip. These suits keep them comfortable and safe during weightlessness.
The flight suits come with built-in communication, so passengers can talk to pilots and mission control.
Safety harnesses hold everyone in their seats during launch and landing. Once SpaceShipTwo reaches zero gravity, the restraints release automatically.
Each person gets a personal equipment bag for the flight, with everything needed for the experience and after landing.
Virgin Galactic supplies all the safety gear, so passengers don’t need to bring their own for SpaceShipTwo.
After their SpaceShipTwo flight, commercial astronauts get official recognition. Virgin Galactic hands out astronaut wings and certificates to the passengers.
During the post-flight debrief, passengers talk about their weightlessness experience. Flight crews walk everyone through the mission details and answer questions about spaceflight.
Passengers also get photos and videos from their journey. These snapshots capture their time in space and the incredible views of Earth from above.
Virgin Galactic throws celebration events for new commercial astronauts. These gatherings bring together passengers, other space travelers, and company reps.
Flight data and passenger feedback shape future SpaceShipTwo missions. Virgin Galactic uses this input to make the civilian astronaut experience even better.
Virgin Galactic flies VSS Unity as its main SpaceShipTwo vehicle. They’re developing new SpaceShip III-class spacecraft to ramp up commercial flights.
The company keeps an active testing program going while building more vehicles to boost flight frequency.
VSS Unity stands as Virgin Galactic’s flagship SpaceShipTwo, taking over after the original VSS Enterprise. This ship carries up to eight people—six passengers and two pilots—on suborbital flights that reach the edge of space.
A carrier aircraft lifts the vehicle to altitude, then Unity fires up its rocket motor. Passengers float in weightlessness for several minutes and gaze at Earth’s curve through those big windows.
Key specifications include:
VSS Unity has completed several powered test flights since entering service. The spacecraft operates out of Spaceport America in New Mexico for commercial missions.
Virgin Galactic has already sold more than 600 tickets for SpaceShipTwo flights. Tickets cost between $200,000 and $250,000 per seat.
Virgin Galactic keeps testing with VSS Unity while working on next-generation vehicles. They’re aiming for 400 SpaceShip flights per year at each spaceport.
VSS Imagine is the first SpaceShip III-class vehicle, and it offers better maintenance access. Its modular design and shiny, mirror-like exterior really stand out.
Current development includes:
The company plans four glide flights and four powered flights for every new SpaceShip III. These test flights will bring in revenue and confirm the spacecraft’s design.
Manufacturing happens at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The Spaceship Company, a partnership between Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites, builds the fleet.
Virgin Galactic runs operations from several specialized locations in the U.S. They handle commercial flights in New Mexico and build spacecraft in Arizona and California.
Spaceport America serves as Virgin Galactic’s main commercial headquarters in New Mexico. This purpose-built facility hosts all commercial spaceflights for paying customers.
The spaceport has runways just for WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft. These runways meet the unique needs of air-launched spaceflight.
Virgin Galactic has completed multiple test flights here. They moved operations from California and ran their second SpaceShipTwo test flight from Spaceport America.
The facility includes mission control for suborbital flights. Ground crews coordinate launches and track spacecraft through each phase.
Key Infrastructure Components:
Virgin Galactic operates a two-vehicle spaceflight system for commercial operations. The fleet includes SpaceShipTwo spacecraft and WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft.
They keep the current fleet running while building more vehicles. The goal? More flights for more customers.
SpaceShipTwo gets regular maintenance between flights at dedicated facilities. Technical teams check safety and systems after every mission.
The carrier aircraft needs special care because of its dual-fuselage design. Ground crews service both WhiteKnightTwo and the attached SpaceShipTwo at the same time.
Fleet operations help Virgin Galactic move toward regular commercial service. They want to offer frequent suborbital flights to paying customers.
The Spaceship Company handles all of Virgin Galactic’s manufacturing. This subsidiary builds both spacecraft and carrier aircraft parts.
Production happens in Mojave, California. Teams assemble complete spaceships there.
Manufacturing teams build SpaceShipTwo vehicles and WhiteKnightTwo aircraft at this location. The facility takes care of final assembly and initial testing for new spacecraft.
The Spaceship Company focuses on scaling up production. Their manufacturing supports Virgin Galactic’s plans to grow commercial space tourism.
Quality control systems make sure every vehicle meets safety standards before delivery. Production teams test all spacecraft systems during manufacturing.
SpaceShipTwo stands as Virgin Galactic’s flagship vehicle for opening up space access and pushing commercial spaceflight forward. The spacecraft supports space exploration research and builds partnerships shaping the industry’s future.
SpaceShipTwo takes space tourism from dream to reality for civilians. Virgin Galactic designed it to carry up to six passengers on suborbital flights over 100 kilometers high.
Passengers float in weightlessness for several minutes. Huge cabin windows give them sweeping views of Earth’s curve.
Key passenger experiences include:
SpaceShipTwo’s reusable design helps cut costs compared to traditional rockets. The feathering reentry system gives a controlled, safe descent.
Virgin Galactic has sold hundreds of tickets for future flights. They see SpaceShipTwo as the gateway for ordinary people to reach space without years of astronaut training.
SpaceShipTwo carries research equipment along with passengers on commercial flights. Scientists use the spacecraft for microgravity experiments.
NASA teams up with Virgin Galactic for microgravity research. Researchers study material science and biology in the weightless cabin.
Research applications include:
The spacecraft generates data on commercial spaceflight operations. Flight performance informs new vehicle designs and safety protocols.
SpaceShipTwo shows private companies can run reliable space missions. This reduces government costs and expands access to space-based research.
Virgin Galactic works with aerospace suppliers and research groups to boost SpaceShipTwo’s capabilities. The company partners with NASA on commercial spaceflight programs.
SpaceShipTwo proves air-launched spacecraft systems work for real. WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft brings flexible launch options from regular runways.
The spacecraft influences commercial spaceflight development. Other companies look at Virgin Galactic’s approach to passenger safety and vehicle operations.
Partnership areas include:
SpaceShipTwo’s success attracts investors to the commercial space tourism market. Operational results help fund next-generation vehicles and future space infrastructure.
Virgin Galactic plans to grow its SpaceShipTwo fleet. They want to fly more often and bring down seat costs by scaling up operations.
Richard Branson helped turn space tourism from science fiction into reality with Virgin Galactic and SpaceShipTwo. The project builds on huge leaps in private spaceflight and sets the stage for more commercial space activity.
Richard Branson started Virgin Galactic with a bold goal: make space open to private citizens. His leadership led the company to partner with Scaled Composites and develop SpaceShipTwo as a commercial spacecraft.
Branson took a hands-on approach—he even became Virgin Galactic’s first customer. He flew on SpaceShipTwo in July 2021, showing real faith in the vehicle’s safety systems.
He worked directly with Burt Rutan, who designed the original SpaceShipOne. Branson’s commercial vision and Rutan’s design skills made a strong team.
Under Branson, Virgin Galactic set up shop at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The company poured resources into facilities and aircraft to support regular flights.
George Whitesides played a key role as former CEO of Virgin Galactic. His NASA background brought technical oversight during major design phases.
SpaceShipTwo builds on SpaceShipOne’s win of the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004. That win proved private companies could reach space safely with crewed vehicles.
The team created the first commercial spacecraft for passengers. SpaceShipTwo carries six passengers, a big jump from SpaceShipOne’s single pilot.
Virgin Galactic introduced the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft system to launch SpaceShipTwo at high altitude. This air-launch method saves fuel and adds flexibility.
The company set up the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the U.S. Spaceport America gives SpaceShipTwo a dedicated home for flights and passenger training.
They added a unique feathering system that stabilizes SpaceShipTwo during reentry. This passive safety feature eases the pilot’s workload when it matters most.
Virgin Galactic plans to grow its SpaceShipTwo fleet with more vehicles now in the works. Serial number two reached about 40 percent completion recently.
The company aims for one-year production cycles on new spacecraft to keep up with rising demand. This pace supports regular flights and fleet growth.
Virgin Galactic explores future concepts like SpaceShipThree and SpaceShipFour for longer missions. These new designs might make high-speed, point-to-point travel possible.
Current SpaceShipTwo vehicles face a 200-mile range limit that affects mission plans. Next-gen spacecraft could use new propulsion and reentry methods.
The leadership team keeps working on procedures for regular commercial service. They’re building passenger training programs and flight scheduling to support ongoing operations at Spaceport America.
SpaceShipTwo packs advanced safety systems, seats six passengers with two pilots, and flies with VMS Eve as its carrier aircraft. The ship uses improved propulsion tech and addresses environmental concerns with its hybrid rocket design.
SpaceShipTwo has several safety systems to protect passengers on every flight. Its feathered wing setup lets the craft slow down and stabilize naturally during reentry.
The crew trains thoroughly to handle emergencies. Passengers get safety briefings and sit in specially designed seats with secure restraints.
Pilots can shut down the hybrid rocket motor instantly if needed. This gives them full control over propulsion at all times.
Ground crews track every part of the flight from mission control. They stay in touch with the pilots and offer guidance from start to finish.
SpaceShipTwo carries six passengers, while SpaceShipOne only held a single pilot. This bigger cabin finally makes commercial space tourism for groups a real possibility.
Engineers gave the newer spacecraft a hybrid rocket motor, which offers better control and safety. SpaceShipOne proved the idea could work, but SpaceShipTwo was purpose-built for regular passenger flights.
The team upgraded materials and construction methods for SpaceShipTwo. They picked lightweight composites that end up stronger and more durable than what earlier designs used.
Inside, the cabin has large windows so passengers can really take in the views of Earth and space. Folks onboard get several minutes of weightlessness during the flight.
SpaceShipTwo brings six passengers and two trained pilots on every flight. There’s enough room inside for everyone to float around once the weightless part begins.
Passengers get about four minutes of weightlessness at the peak. During that window, they can unbuckle and move around the cabin.
Those huge windows? They offer a clear look at Earth’s curve and the blackness of space. The spacecraft climbs to 68 miles above the planet’s surface.
The whole trip takes around 90 minutes, from takeoff to landing. That covers the carrier flight, the rocket-powered ascent, the space experience, and the glide back down.
VMS Eve acts as the carrier aircraft that lifts SpaceShipTwo up to its release altitude. The WhiteKnightTwo aircraft hauls the spaceplane to about 50,000 feet before letting it go.
This air-launch method lets SpaceShipTwo save fuel on the way to space. By starting high up, the rocket motor can focus on the final push rather than fighting through thick atmosphere.
VMS Eve lets the spaceplane take off and land on regular runways. That flexibility beats the hassle of vertical rocket launches with specialized pads.
Passengers start their journey in a comfy aircraft cabin before the rocket ride begins. The carrier aircraft helps kick off the experience smoothly.
RocketMotorTwo uses a hybrid propulsion system—solid and liquid propellants working together. This setup gives enough power for suborbital flight and keeps things safer and more manageable.
If something goes wrong, pilots can shut down the hybrid motor instantly. That extra control is a big step up from solid rocket motors that just burn until they’re empty.
The propulsion system creates less vibration and noise than old-school rocket engines. Passengers get a smoother, quieter ride during the powered phase.
RocketMotorTwo also burns cleaner than some other rocket fuels. The hybrid design cuts down on harmful emissions while still delivering the thrust needed to reach space.
SpaceShipTwo’s hybrid rocket motor gives off fewer emissions than what you’d see from traditional solid rocket propellants.
The system mixes solid fuel with nitrous oxide, and that combo burns a lot more cleanly.
Engineers designed the spacecraft to be reusable, which definitely cuts down on waste.
Instead of tossing out rockets after each trip, they just fly the same vehicle again—no need to create extra debris or build new ships for every mission.
The air-launch system also helps save fuel compared to rockets that launch straight from the ground.
By taking off from a runway and releasing the spacecraft at altitude, they use less energy to reach space.
SpaceShipTwo also launches from existing airports, so there’s no need to build brand-new facilities.
That really keeps the environmental impact of ground infrastructure to a minimum.
