3 private citizens launched to space and back on Virgin Galactic’s Unity spacecraft

Filip Timotija

8 June 2024 at 5:39 pm·2-min read

Three private citizens launched into space and landed safely back on Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spacecraft, completing the company’s second spaceflight of 2024 and 12 missions to date.

Virgin Galactic’s seventh commercial mission carried one researcher and three private astronauts, the company said on Saturday. Onboard were two pilots Nicola Pecile and Jameel Janjua. They were joined by Giorgio Manenti of Italy, Irving Pergament of New York, Anand Sadhwani of California and Tuva Atasever, only the second Turkish astronaut to fly in space. Atasever’s trip was sponsored by Axiom Space to do microgravity research.

“Watching our pioneering spaceship Unity return from space on its final commercial flight was a breathtaking and proud moment as we celebrate the ship’s unprecedented achievements in human spaceflight and build momentum for the rollout of our first Delta Class ships in 2026,” said Virgin Galactic’s CEO Michael Colglazier.

The flight took off from New Mexico at around 8:31 am local time and it landed little over an hour later. The carrier jet dropped the spaceplane at an altitude of 44,500 feet. The craft reached the speed of almost three times the speed of sound, according to the company. Atasever flew with headgear that has brain activity monitoring sensors and two insulin pens to test insulin administration in microgravity.

“I am beyond grateful to have represented my country on ‘Galactic 07’ and conduct groundbreaking research that will impact future space missions,” Atasever said. “The successful completion of Ax-3 and now ‘Galactic 07’ is just the beginning of Türkiye’s space endeavors. May our people at home continue to be inspired and dream beyond the stars.”

The company will now focus on building its first Delta Class ships that are expected to be used commercially in 2026. Virgin Galactic was founded in 2004 by Richard Branson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

The Independent
Stranded Boeing astronauts are stuck on International Space Station, Nasa says in urgent update
The astronauts stranded on the International Space Station are still not able to come home, Nasa has said. Two astronauts went to the space station almost 50 days ago as part of a test of Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were supposed to visit the orbiting lab for about a week and return in mid-June, but thruster failures and helium leaks on Boeing‘s new Starliner capsule prompted Nasa and Boeing to keep them up longer.
AFP
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has made what could be its most astonishing discovery to date: possible signs of ancient life on the Red Planet.The quest to confirm ancient Martian life is far from over, however.
The Guardian
Nasa rover discovery hints at ancient microbial life on Mars
A 3ft by 2ft rock marked with off-white spots may offer fossilised record of microbes dating back billions of years
Business Insider
Rats, roaches, and other creatures are winning against climate change, and it's bad news for humans
In the game of climate change, there are winners and losers. These four animals will come out on top, but you probably won't be happy about it.
Futurism
NASA Rocket for First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Arrives at Launch Site
The rocket designed to carry the first humans to the Moon in over half a century has officially made its way to NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) just over a year ahead of its tentative launch date. The enormous, 212-foot rocket stage made its way from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to […]
Business Insider
NASA just scored a badly needed win: The best potential evidence of alien life yet
The Perseverance rover found potential evidence of life on Mars. Three features make the rock promising, but NASA must bring it to Earth to study it.
LoveFOOD
These 23 favourite foods are in danger of disappearing forever
From bananas to chocolate, we've found the foods that could face extinction in the future, counting down to the most endangered of all.
The Guardian
‘A huge opportunity’: Quantum leap for UK as tech industry receives £100m boost
Science secretary backs five quantum technology hubs in push for UK to transform healthcare and industry
The Telegraph
Nasa finds Mars rock that may have hosted tiny lifeforms
A rock on Mars may have hosted microscopic life billions of years ago, Nasa believes.
AFP
AI-generated images falsely shared as 'proof the US faked Moon landings'
AI-generated images that appear to show astronauts staging missions to the Moon have been shared in Chinese social media posts that falsely claimed they were "evidence" the United States "faked" them. The baseless posts surfaced online as China celebrated the return of its Chang'e-6 probe to Earth bearing rock-and-soil samples from the little-known far side of the Moon.
Business Insider
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are arguing again with their rival rocket companies. It's the latest in a 20-year feud.
The two execs have sparred over their respective space ambitions — Musk runs SpaceX, while Bezos owns Blue Origin — but it hasn't stopped there.
Business Insider
An engineer who lived in NASA's Mars simulation for 378 days went through extreme isolation — but still said he'd go to the red planet for real if he could
Ross Brockwell spent a year in NASA's CHAPEA Mars simulation. He missed Earth but would live on the other planet for real if he could.
Futurism
Scientists Outraged at Canceled NASA Moon Mission Plead Congress to Reconsider
Last week, NASA made a shocking announcement. It would not be sending its $450 million rover, called the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), to the Moon, where its state of the art capabilities were anticipated to uncover secrets about water ice just beneath the lunar surface. The reason, according to NASA officials, is that […]
The Telegraph
Everything you need to know about La Niña, the climate phenomenon behind this year’s extreme weather
For months the world endured droughts, heat waves, floods and cyclones as one of the strongest El Niño events on record brought chaos to global weather systems.
Northwich & Winsford Guardian
Primary school 'nurturing the scientists of tomorrow’ earns prestigious award
A SCHOOL is celebrating earning a prestigious award.
People
Astronaut Reveals Reason She Wears Friendship Bracelets in Space — and Why She Won't Stop (Exclusive)
In 2026, Kellie Gerardi will lead an all-female team of international researchers to space
OK! Magazine
Meghan Markle 'hysterical' after breaking Prince Harry's strict orders in interview
Meghan Markle was given strict instructions by Prince Harry before she sat down for an interview with Vanity Fair - but the Duchess of Sussex seemingly didn't listen
OK! Magazine
Drivers warned that most car owners will be hammered with new £410 tax from next April
New rules will see many drivers forced to pay additional tax on their vehicle from next year. The so-called 'luxury' car tax would see motorists forking out £410 each year
BuzzFeed
Kamala Harris' Press Release About Donald Trump's Fox News Appearance Is Going Viral
"Something about the question mark after 'old and quite weird' is taking me out."
OK! Magazine
Prince Harry 'ignored Prince William's strong advice' over Meghan Markle – now he's paying the price
EXCLUSIVE: After claims Prince Harry and Meghan were offered advice on balancing their public and private lives, an expert explains why Prince William was right to air his concerns

Latest stories