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SpaceShip Two

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Manned spacecraft component of the Tier Two suborbital commercial launch system.

More at: SpaceShip Two.

Related

Country
USA
Launch Sites
Mojave RW12/30
Bibliography
8672

Chronology

49 events

2010 March 22

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-25/CC01 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2010 May 16

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-27/CC02 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2010 July 15

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-33/CC03 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2010 September 30

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-39/CC04 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2010 October 10

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-41/GF01 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2010 October 22

Launch Site: Spaceport America. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-43/CC06 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2010 October 22

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-42/CC05 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2010 October 28

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-44/GF02 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2010 November 17

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-45/GF03 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2011 January 13

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-47/GF04 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2011 February 14

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-48/05GC-CC07 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2011 February 15

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-49/05GC-CC08 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2011 April 6

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-52/CC09 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2011 April 7

Launch Site: San Francisco. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-53/CC10 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

2011 April 14

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-55/CC11 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2011 April 22

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-56/GF05 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2011 April 27

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-57/GF06 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

2011 May 4

14:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-58/GF07 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 May 10

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-59/GF08 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 May 19

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-60/GF09 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 May 25

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-61/GF10 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 June 9

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-62/CC12 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 June 14

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-64/GF11 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 June 15

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-65/GF12 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 June 21

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-66/GF13 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 June 23

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-67/GF14 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 June 27

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-68/GF15 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2011 September 29

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-73/GF16 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 June 26

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-87/GF17 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 June 29

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-88/GF18 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 July 18

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-90/GF19 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 August 2

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-91/GF20 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 August 7

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-92/GF21 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 August 11

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-93/GF22 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2012 December 19

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-109/GF23 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2013 April 3

15:31 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-113/GF24 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). TO time 1418.

2013 April 12

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-114/CF01 Cold Flow - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2013 April 29

14:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-115/PF01 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 17 km (10 mi).

2013 April 29

17:09 GMT - .

2013 July 25

Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-130/GF25 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2013 August 8

14:50 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-131/GF26 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2013 September 5

16:00 GMT - .

2013 September 5

16:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-132/PF02 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 21 km (13 mi).

2013 December 11

17:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-145/GF27 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2014 January 10

16:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-147/PF03 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi).

2014 January 10

16:11 GMT - .

2014 January 17

17:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: Mojave RW12/30. Launch Platform: WK2. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • WK2-149/GF28 51 - . Nation: USA. Agency: SCAL. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

2014 October 31

14:47 GMT - . FAILURE: Pilot mistakenly deployed tail booms.. Failed Stage: 2.
  • Spaceship Two PF04 - . Crew: Alsbury, Siebold. Nation: USA. Spacecraft Bus: Spaceship. Spacecraft: SpaceShip Two. Apogee: 16 km (9 mi).

    The Spaceship Two S/N 01 'VSS Enterprise' rocket-powered glider was dropped from the White Knight 2 carrier aircraft, based at Mojave Spaceport in California, and was intended for passenger suborbital flights to be operated by Virgin Galactic. The vehicle had made 12 captive flights, 32 glide flights, and 3 rocket-powered flights prior to the accident. The glide flights had been piloted by a mixture of Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic test pilots. Only short rocket burns had been made and the highest apogee was only 22 km. On October 31, flight PF04 made a short rocket burn of 9 seconds, at which point the co-pilot unlocked the rotating tail booms, apparently by mistake; these were not intended to be deployed at the then speed of around Mach 1.0 during rocket-powered flight. The unlocked booms then accidentally deployed ('feathered'), followed by disintegration of the vehicle. The debris fell near Koehn Lake in California, about 40 km NE of the takeoff airport at Mojave. Pilot Pete Siebold parachuted to safety and was hospitalized with serious injuries; co-pilot Mike Alsbury was killed in the crash. The second SS Two, S/N 02 'VSS Voyager', was still under construction at Mojave.

2018 December 13

16:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Lake Isabella. LV Family: Spaceship. Launch Vehicle: Spaceship Two.
  • VSS Unity VP03 - . Nation: USA. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi). Test mission. Impacted Mojave.