Space Tourism A Closer Reality: Virgin Galactic Introduces New Spaceship III VSS Imagine
On 30 March 2021, Virgin unveils its new spaceship III named VSS Imagine. The first spaceship II will be also added to the Virgin’s increasing numbers of suborbital vehicles. VSS Imagine will soon start its ground testing with glide flights this summer. Also, one of the most amazing things about Spaceship III is that with exceptional technological work, the design of VSS Imagine can reflect the surrounding environment while it takes off from Earth to Space.
The shiny chrome-colored ship is improved on the reusability of flying to space which is better than the previously trialed Spaceship II. With improved design, mechanism and functionality Virgins aim to use VSS Imagine to boost the space tourism business by 2022.
Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin, also comments: “Virgin Galactic spaceships are built specifically to deliver a new, transforming perspective to the thousands of people who will soon be able to experience the wonder of space for themselves. As a SpaceShip III class of vehicle, Imagine is not just beautiful to look at, but represents Virgin Galactic’s growing fleet of spaceships. All great achievements, creations, and changes start with an idea”. He also adds that their hope is for all those who travel to space to return with fresh perspectives and new ideas that will bring positive change to our planet.”
Michael Colglazier who is the CEO of Virgin Galactic shares, “today we unveiled our SpaceShip III class of vehicles, marking the beginning of the Virgin Galactic fleet. VSS Imagine and Inspire are stunning ships that will take our future astronauts on an incredible voyage to space, and their names reflect the aspirational nature of human spaceflight. Congratulations to our dedicated team who worked so brilliantly to achieve this milestone”.
In fact, the new VSS Imagine has a new advanced modular design that will improve the performances in terms of maintenance access and flight rates. Additionally, the new spaceship III is capable of pulling a panel off that can get an area for a quicker turn-around for the flights.
Apart from spectacular design, the Imagine has thermal protection that has a very appealing attraction to any human eye. Virgin also plans to advance the architecture of spaceships with these magnificent designs in the future.
The first spaceship III will have its first glide test at the company’s Spaceport America facility in New Mexico in the summer. During the Imagine first glide test, it will be dropped in mid-air from its carrier to glide back to land.
As per the Spaceport, Virgin’s Imagine is set to offshore their efforts by flying 400 flights per year. And once the VSS Imagine will start its ground testing, VSS Inspire, the second spaceship III will be prepared for manufacturing.
Overall Virgin really makes the fantasy of traveling to space and coming back true. Space tourism is also assumed to give our planetary system a new light of perspective. Future Astronauts who want to join the journey of the Virgin Galactic fleet are also invited.
