SpaceShipTwo spacecraft tests missile performance

The spacecraft of Virgin Galactic Group, designed to take visitors into space, had a test flight of missile capacity on April 29, breaking the sound wall, according to AFP.

SpaceShipTwo (SS2) activated its engine after separating the "mother" spacecraft, WhiteKnightTwo, at a height of 14km above the Mojave desert in California (USA), president of Virgin Galactic, British billionaire Richard Branson for know in a release.

SpaceShipTwo - (Photo: AFP)

When the rocket ignited, in accordance with the plan, in 16 seconds it pushed the spacecraft to a height of 16.7 km at 1.2 times the speed of sound.

Branson said that a successful missile test flight will pave the way for an official space flight later this year.

In the near future, Virgin Galactic plans to improve the missile to help propel the SS2 to a height of over 100km.

During a missile performance test flight on April 29 that lasted only 10 minutes, two pilots Mark Stucky and Mike Alsbury controlled the SS2 spacecraft safely landed at Mojave Air and Space Airport at 8 hours (local time).

Reportedly, there were more than 500 people booking space travel flights on the SS2, with a seat price of US $ 200,000. SS2 can carry six passengers in one flight.