On November 2, 2023, Virgin Galactic is set to launch its ‘Galactic 05’ mission, marking its sixth flight this year and the tenth overall. With its Spaceship doubling as a suborbital space lab, the company showcases its commitment to accessible space research.
Michael Colglazier, CEO, highlights the milestone:
“Six flights in just six months underscore our dedication. ‘Galactic 05’ is another step forward, refining our future Delta fleet’s research capabilities.”
The ‘Galactic 05’ crew includes:
• Dr. Alan Stern, a U.S. Planetary Scientist with SwRI;
• Kellie Gerardi, an IIAS U.S. Payload Specialist and Bioastronautics Researcher;
• A private astronaut of Franco-Italian origin.
Stern will use the flight for training exercises geared toward a NASA suborbital mission, collecting data and testing astronomical experiments. Gerardi aims to evaluate healthcare technologies in microgravity, pushing the frontier of space healthcare. Dr. Stern emphasizes:
Virgin’s affordable suborbital missions are a game-changer in space training.” Gerardi adds, “This mission heralds a new era, using space as a benefit for humanity.
The Virgin Galactic team features VSS Unity Commander Mike Masucci, Pilot Kelly Latimer, and others. The ‘Galactic 06’ mission, slated for January 2024, will carry four private astronauts.
