Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Unity, which conducted its first flight test in a new home at the end of last year, but failed to ignite the rocket. After almost half a year of investigation and preparation, it is finally ready for the next rocket test on May 22 this weekend. In addition to continuing to complete the original flight control evaluation, cabin comfort evaluation and live test of the previous mission, it will also carry the research payload provided by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program.
Unity’s rocket engine failed to ignite before. It was determined that one of the flight control computers suffered electromagnetic interference at the moment of ignition. The system automatically cut off the engine for safety, causing Unity to glide back to the ground. Fortunately, everyone was safe.
The second ignition test was originally scheduled for February, but for some reason it has been postponed to the present. This also makes Virgin Galactic’s original plan of business transfer this year to no avail, and it will not be until next year that space tourists can be lifted off at the earliest. As for the test on the 22nd, there is currently no scheduled time, only that it will depend on the progress of the “weather and pre-flight inspection”.