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Stephanie Cockroft
Jul 11, 2021
AFP via Getty Images
Sir Richard Branson has flown to the edge of space aboard Virgin Galactic’s first fully crewed flight.
The launch has been hailed a “landmark moment” for the billionaire businessman, as well as the whole commercial space industry.
Take-off had been delayed by about 90 minutes due to the weather overnight at Spaceport America in New Mexico, US.
But video streamed live online showed the Virgin Galactic in the air at about 3.45pm UK time, and the aircraft had reached 40,000 feet by 4pm.
The spacecraft was carried up into the atmosphere by its mothership before being released so it could power up to highs of 250,000 feet. Sir Richard and his crew reached speeds of Mach 3 on their way to the edge of space.
After a short spell during which they experienced weightlessness, the craft then pointed downwards and made its way back to the ground, touching down around 4.40pm.
Here’s how take-off looked:
Take-off! The #Unity22 crew including @RichardBranson leave Spaceport America, New Mexico for #VirginGalactic’s fir… https://t.co/s2l0i3Vsvl— Virgin Galactic (@Virgin Galactic) 1626016873
And the moment the carrier plane dropped the rocket-powered aircraft, carrying Sir Richard...
And touch-down..
Welcome back to spaceship earth 🌎 Congratulations @richardbranson and @virgingalactic team! Today is a great day… https://t.co/5Ajwnx5SZE— Cosmic Perspective (@Cosmic Perspective) 1626018681
On the return flight to planet earth, Sir Richard hailed the “experience of a lifetime” and the “hard, hard work” that went into the flight.
"Congratulations to everybody for creating such a beautiful plane and all the hard work for getting us this far."… https://t.co/0ywduqrK5U— Sky News (@Sky News) 1626017895
He is the first owner-astronaut to take part in a mission, beating Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who plans to reach space in his own rocket through his Blue Origin company. Elon Musk owns rival exploration company SpaceX.
On the ground, viewers were blown away by what they were watching:
My husband: “Kids, come watch! We’re about to launch our first billionaire into space.” #virgingalatic #Unity22 https://t.co/hlTEFyXyTX— Abby (@Abby) 1626017335
He gets to grow up in a world where this is a thing. #Unity22 #virgingalatic https://t.co/xqQDGbdSco— David Hitt (@David Hitt) 1626017533
The fact that we will most likely all have the opportunity to go to space in our lifetimes... #Unity22… https://t.co/BWLlJ6PksG— TmarTn (@TmarTn) 1626017595
It is easy to be cynical, but man it is so great to witness this event where 20-30 years from now this, Space trave… https://t.co/xHcHvMfNAh— Harshal 🏏 (@Harshal 🏏) 1626018551
Although some saw the billionaire space race a little differently...
Watching billionaires race to space at the world’s expense. #Unity22 https://t.co/LOZ42OWNnV— Victor C (@Victor C) 1626017553
Billionaires are not “democratizing” space—they are monetizing it. Capitalism will destroy space just as it has destroyed Earth. #Unity22— Ben O'Keefe (he/they) (@Ben O'Keefe (he/they)) 1626019946
And others weren’t too happy with the coverage of the launch, which some viewers felt focussed too much on the studio and not enough on the actual take-off:
Just. Show. The flight. #Unity22— GribWrites (@GribWrites) 1626015197
What we wanted VS. What @virgingalactic gave us on the #Unity22 livestream. Boo 👎🏽 https://t.co/lv7JbGwaga— Shiv Aroor (@Shiv Aroor) 1626015701
#unity22 livestream is awful. Give us on board cameras and comms— Pepe (@Pepe) 1626015431
Sorry to keep complaining but this has genuinely blown my mind. What should be a celebration of a huge step in huma… https://t.co/l3QWkTZBkN— MattyHogarth (@MattyHogarth) 1626016623
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos watching that shambles of a live stream #VirginGalactic #Unity22 https://t.co/XotvUDk1zB— Sangram Malik (@Sangram Malik) 1626017737
Still, plenty of people sent their congratulations to Sir Richard and Virgin Galactic as they returned to earth.
Congratulations @virgingalactic on another successful mission! #Unity22 #space https://t.co/iPHXiYhEJF— Tim Peake (@Tim Peake) 1626018298
Welcome back to spaceship earth 🌎 Congratulations @richardbranson and @virgingalactic team! Today is a great day… https://t.co/5Ajwnx5SZE— Cosmic Perspective (@Cosmic Perspective) 1626018681
So proud of you @RichardBranson and @VirginGalactic!!! #Unity22 ✨🚀🚀 https://t.co/lfcMKndpkE— ParisHilton.eth (@ParisHilton.eth) 1626018092
History was made today.congratulations to all involved.#Unity22 https://t.co/jPfYm2UpAK— Duncan (@Duncan) 1626018819
Over to you now, Jeff and Elon...
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