This wasn’t a failure. It was an (obviously) critical test.
Virgin Galactic aborted an important test mission on Saturday morning while attempting to launch its unique spacecraft, called the VSS Unity, into suborbital space (wherein the craft reaches space but doesn’t start orbiting Earth like a satellite).
According to multiple reports, VSS Unity successfully separated from its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo, and ignited its engine in anticipation of blasting into space. But there was an engine mishap. The spaceflight company hasn’t yet released many details, but tweeted: “The ignition sequence for the rocket motor did not complete. Vehicle and crew are in great shape. We have several motors ready at Spaceport America. We will check the vehicle and be back to flight soon.”
Fortunately, both the spacecraft and WhiteKnightTwo safely returned to Virgin Galactic’s spaceport in New Mexico.
Virgin Galactic did not immediately respond to inquiries about the abort, and what comes next.
Early update on flight: The ignition sequence for the rocket motor did not complete. Vehicle and crew are in great shape. We have several motors ready at Spaceport America. We will check the vehicle and be back to flight soon.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 12, 2020
Pilots and vehicles back safe and sound. We will update again shortly.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 12, 2020
SpaceShipTwo Unity (the VSS Unity) takes off for a test from New Mexico.
The Saturday test was the first of three more scheduled test flights before the company plans to start taking paying customers on a wild, otherwordly ride into suborbital space. A ticket costs $250,000.
But there’s a reason for a variety of test flights. In 2014, Virgin Galactic suffered a fatal accident when its spacecraft broke apart in the sky. On Saturday, we witnessed another step in the daunting process of venturing safely into space.
