posted 05-01-2024 06:05 PM               

'Galactic 07' Mission Launch Window Opens June 8

Flight Will Mark Virgin Galactic's Seventh Commercial Mission, Seventh Research Mission

Multiple Research Experiments to Include Axiom Space and University Payloads

Virgin Galactic today (May 1) announced the 'Galactic 07' flight window will open Saturday, June 8, 2024. This will be the company's second spaceflight this year and 12th to date.

Virgin Galactic's spaceship will again be converted into a suborbital science lab, with VSS Unity carrying an Axiom Space affiliated researcher astronaut who will conduct multiple human-tended experiments. In addition, Purdue University and UC Berkeley will have autonomous payloads on board, supported by NASA's Flight Opportunities program. This mission showcases Virgin Galactic's ability to provide a flexible microgravity research platform, benefiting further space exploration initiatives as well as innovations on Earth.

"Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We're excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in suborbital space, and we look forward to continuing to expand our role in suborbital research going forward," said Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic. "'Galactic 07' will also mark and celebrate VSS Unity's final commercial flight – an exciting and historic turning point for the business as we dedicate our resources fully to the production of our next-generation Delta spaceships, on track for commercial service in 2026."

The hybrid research and private astronaut crew of 'Galactic 07' will include:

• Astronaut 027 – Researcher Astronaut, Axiom Space (research and astronaut to be announced in the coming weeks)

• Astronaut 028 – Private Astronaut, California, USA

• Astronaut 029 – Private Astronaut, New York, USA

• Astronaut 030 – Private Astronaut, Italy

The Virgin Galactic crew will include:

• VSS Unity Commander Nicola Pecile and pilot Jameel Janjua

• VMS Eve Commander Andy Edgell and pilot C.J. Sturckow

The 'Galactic 07' autonomous rack-mounted research payloads will include a Purdue University experiment designed to study propellant slosh in fuel tanks of maneuvering spacecraft, as well as a UC Berkeley payload testing a new type of 3D printing. Virgin Galactic has flown payloads for NASA's Flight Opportunities program since the Company's first spaceflight in 2018 and was recently selected by NASA as a contracted flight provider for the next five years.

Galactic 07 will also include research and participation from Virgin Galactic partner Axiom Space.

"Axiom Space's commitment to enabling access to space and providing opportunities for scientific discovery beyond Earth aligns closely with Virgin Galactic's mission," said Tejpaul Bhatia, chief revenue officer of Axiom Space. "We are very excited about this upcoming Galactic 07 flight; stay tuned for more on our groundbreaking research and astronaut participant as we get close to June 8th."

Today's announcement follows notification from the FAA that Virgin Galactic's investigation into the cause of the alignment pin that detached from VMS Eve following the release of VSS Unity during the 'Galactic 06' mission on January 26th, 2024 is approved. The FAA has accepted Virgin Galactic's final investigation report, as well as the corrective actions that have been made to enhance the retention mechanism of the pinand the addition of a secondary retention mechanism.

posted 05-13-2024 10:12 PM               

Axiom Space Partners with Virgin Galactic to Send Second Turkish Astronaut to Space

Axiom Space has partnered with Virgin Galactic to send Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) backup and Turkish Space Agency (TUA) astronaut Tuva Atasever on a suborbital flight on June 8 to conduct microgravity research.

Atasever, a 31-year-old engineer, is set to become the second Turkish astronaut in his nation's history, when he participates in the Galactic 07 flight to expand Türkiye's endeavors in space. In partnership with TÜBITAK UZAY, the suborbital flight will serve as an opportunity to collect more biomedical data for three research studies that were previously conducted on Ax-3, including studies that could potentially impact future human spaceflight missions. In addition, Axiom Space is sending its own research payload on Galactic 07 to study insulin dose dispensation in microgravity.

"I look forward to continuing Türkiye's human space exploration efforts on the Galactic 07 flight," said Atasever. "With seven different scientific investigations that will be conducted in collaboration with national and international partners, we will make important contributions toward space research in Türkiye. I am honored for this opportunity to play a role in my country's human spaceflight program and inspire younger generations to pursue even more ambitious dreams."

Axiom Space signed a contract with Türkiye to send its first-ever astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, to space during Ax-3, which was part of a larger effort to establish the country's national human spaceflight program. Following the Ax-3 mission, the Galactic 07 flight is the next phase of Axiom Space's agreement with Türkiye to support its initiatives in space.

"Axiom Space's commitment to enabling access to space through exclusive spaceflight and research opportunities is exemplified by our partnership with Virgin Galactic," said Tejpaul Bhatia, chief revenue officer of Axiom Space. "The upcoming Galactic 07 flight underscores how commercial entities and nations like Türkiye can unite to leverage unique opportunities to explore the benefits of microgravity while building a foundation to cultivate a thriving low-Earth orbit economy."

Atasever will conduct seven experiments as part of the Galactic 07 mission. Three of those will take place in-flight with payloads embedded in his custom-built flight suit. One of the studies will help understand the changes in intracranial pressure and its effect on human visual acuity through a headgear with brain activity monitoring sensors. The second will use a dosimeter to measure Atasever's ionizing radiation exposure. And finally, Atasever will test insulin pen effectiveness in microgravity by dispensing doses into a collection container within his flight suit.

Atasever will also participate in four human physiology research investigations that will be carried out by Turkish researchers on the ground. This research will help identify epigenetic and immune system responses, metabolic alterations, myeloid-derived suppressor cell behaviors, and extracellular vesicle changes during suborbital spaceflight.

Click here for more information on the Galactic 07 research.

posted 06-08-2024 06:39 AM               

Preparations are well underway for today's Galactic07 spaceflight.

Take-off is scheduled for 8:30am MDT.

Galactic 07 will mark and celebrate VSS Unity's final commercial flight — an exciting and historic turning point in our history. The spaceflight will be a celebratory moment as we reflect on the many successes of our pathfinding first commercial spaceship.

posted 06-08-2024 09:44 AM               

Galactic 07 is back on terra firma, now as astronauts! Our pilots, crew and spaceship have landed safely at Spaceport America, New Mexico.

Galactic 07 spaceflight stats? Right here!

• Take-off Time: 08:31 am MT
  
• Altitude at Release: 44,562 ft
  
• Apogee: 54.4 Miles
  
• Top Speed: 2.96 Mach
  
• Landing Time: 9:41 AM MT

posted 06-08-2024 11:07 AM               

Virgin Galactic Completes 12th Successful Spaceflight

'Galactic 07' Carries Five Research Payloads During Company's Seventh Research Mission

After Today's Final Commercial Flight of VSS Unity, Momentum Builds for Production of Delta Class Spaceships

Virgin Galactic today (June 8) announced the completion of its second spaceflight of 2024 and 12 mission to date, carrying one researcher and three private astronauts. Today's 'Galactic 07' flight marks the Company's seventh research mission with Virgin Galactic's spaceship again serving as a suborbital lab for space-based scientific research.

Onboard 'Galactic 07':

• Astronaut 027 – Tuva Cihangir Atasever, Turkish Space Agency (TUA) astronaut and Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Backup Mission Specialist

• Astronaut 028 – Anand "Andy" Harish Sadhwani, California, USA

• Astronaut 029 – Irving Izchak Pergament, New York, USA

• Astronaut 030 – Giorgio Manenti, Italy

On today's flight, Atasever flew with three human-tended experiments, including custom headgear with brain activity monitoring sensors to collect physiological data related to human spaceflight; a dosimeter; and two commercially available insulin pens to examine the ability to administer accurate insulin doses in microgravity. He also participated in four investigations carried out by Turkish researchers on the ground to understand physiological changes during suborbital spaceflight.

'Galactic 07' also flew two autonomous rack-mounted payloads supported by NASA's Flight Opportunities program: a Purdue University experiment to study propellant slosh for spacecraft propulsion applications and a University of California, Berkeley experiment to test new 3D printing technology while in microgravity.

The flight was Virgin Galactic's seventh spaceflight carrying microgravity and space-based research, following last year's research missions, 'Galactic 05' with U.S. Planetary Scientist Dr. Alan Stern and U.S. Payload Specialist and Bioastronautics Researcher Kellie Gerardi, and 'Galactic 01' with the Italian Air Force and National Research Council. VSS Unity was piloted by Commander Nicola Pecile and Pilot Jameel Janjua. VMS Eve was piloted by Commander Andy Edgell and Pilot C.J. Sturckow.

Building on VSS Unity's unrivaled record in commercial human spaceflight (32 total flights, including 12 to space), the company is now producing its fourth-generation and most advanced spaceships, the Delta Class, expected to enter commercial service in 2026.