Branson’s Virgin Galactic reaches edge of space

Branson’s Virgin Galactic reaches edge of space

The latest test flight by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic successfully rocketed to the edge of space and back.

The firm’s SpaceShipTwo passenger rocket ship reached a height of 82.7km, beyond the altitude at which US agencies have awarded astronaut wings.

It marked the plane’s fourth test flight and followed earlier setbacks in the firm’s space programme.

Sir Richard is in a race with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to send the first fee-paying passengers into space.

He founded the commercial spaceflight company in 2004, shortly after Mr Musk started SpaceX and Jeff Bezos established Blue Origin.

BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46550862

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic reaches space — Quartz

https://qz.com/1494884/richard-bransons-virgin-galactic-reaches-space/amp/

Virgin Galactic touches the edge of space with Mach 2.9 test flight of SpaceShipTwo | TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/13/virgin-galactic-touches-the-edge-of-space-with-mach-2-9-test-flight-of-spaceshiptwo/