Did a space shuttle launch today1/13/2024 ![]() One minute later, now traveling 2.8 times the speed of sound at an altitude of 136,000 feet, the rocket motor shut down, leaving the six crew members weightless as Unity coasted up to an altitude of 52.9 miles, just above the somewhat arbitrary 50-mile-high "boundary" between space and the discernible atmosphere. Cameras mounted on the hull of the ship showed the Earth dropping away and the sky changing to deep black as the ship gained altitude. Seconds later, the spacecraft's hybrid rocket motor ignited with a rush of flame, instantly propelling Unity up and out of the lower atmosphere on a near-vertical trajectory. ![]() Walter Villadei, the mission commander: "You can be told during the training what kind of experiences you may have, but in the end, when it's your body and your senses, it's completely different."Īfter final checks, clamps opened and Unity detached from Eve's mid-wing attachment mechanism at 11:28 a.m. Fantastic! I'm speechless." Virgin Galactic's Unity rocket plane streaks toward space Thursday, carrying three Italian researchers and three company employees to an altitude of 52.9 miles, nearly three miles higher than the 50-mile altitude considered the threshold of space. I had the opportunity to look outside, and the view was amazing. "The acceleration, the climb and then suddenly, the microgravity. "Incredible experience, from the takeoff to the landing," said Pantaleone Carlucci, representing Italy's National Research Council. ![]() ![]() Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic launched its first commercial space flight Thursday, sending three Italian researchers, two company pilots and an astronaut trainer on a high-speed thrill ride to the edge of space aboard a winged rocketplane. Virgin Galactic launches company's first commercial space flight 04:47 ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |