VSS Enterprise

The VSS Enterprise is the first commercial aircraft in the company Virgin Galactic, and it is the first spacecraft SpaceShipTwo class. It is based on an enlarged version of SpaceShipOne. The VSS Enterprise should first begin operation in 2013, but now the summer 2014 specified as the start date. The flights will take off from Spaceport America in Upham in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The name of the space plane is a tribute to the USS Enterprise from the Star Trek universe, the " VSS " stands for " Virgin Space Ship ".

Performed Flights

The maiden flight of the VSS Enterprise took place on 22 March 2010 together with the carrier aircraft VMS Eve of White Knight Two class up to an altitude of around 14,000 meters also without isolation from the carrier aircraft of the first manned flight of the spacecraft took place on July 15. The first free flight of the VSS Enterprise took place on October 10, 2010, the first flight with spring mode in May 2011. The first passenger flight is to take place in August 2014 and will be televised and internet.

Others

Richard Branson, head of Virgin Galactic, gave William Shatner, the actor of Captain Kirk in the television series Star Trek and in several Star Trek movies, the free attendance at the first tourist flight of the VSS Enterprise. Shatner however, refused, saying:

" I do not want to go up but I need Guarantees I'll definitely come back. "

"I would want to go up there, but I need the guarantee that I would also determined to come back. "