A few days ago, Jeff Bezos, the founder of the company Blue Origin, announced that he would take part in the first flight of his launcher on July 20. This Thursday, Virgin Galactic announced that its founder, British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, would attempt to reach space a few days earlier, on July 11.
Five years ago, the company Virgin Galactic, created by Sir Richard Branson, presented its new suborbital aircraft prototype:the VSS Unity. This "rocket plane", designed to carry up to six passengers in space, will offer suborbital flights during which travelers can float in zero gravity for a few minutes. The first flight of this vessel is scheduled for July 11. And Richard Branson will be there.
Dubbed "Unity 22", this flight will carry a full crew of six. Among them are two pilots – Dave Mackay and Michael Masucci – and four mission specialists, including Branson.
“After more than sixteen years of research, engineering and testing, Virgin Galactic is at the forefront of a new commercial space industry, which is ready to open up space for humanity and change the world for good” , said the entrepreneur. "It's one thing to have the dream of making space more accessible to everyone; it's another for an incredible team to collectively turn that dream into reality. As part of an outstanding team of mission specialists, I am honored to help validate the journey” .
The flight will be divided into several phases:a carrier plane, the WhiteKnightTwo carries the rocket plane to high altitude. The latter will then be dropped to continue its ascent, first propelled by its rocket engine, then on inertia. The descent will also be done in two phases. At the beginning, given the low lift of the air at these altitudes, the rear of the vehicle will be raised in order to balance the forces so that the cabin remains horizontal. As soon as the air density is sufficient, the wings of the rocket plane are returned to their normal position to complete their flight like a glider.
The timing of this flight is also important. Indeed, the first commercial flight of the New Shapard launcher, developed by Jeff Bezos' company Blue Origin, is scheduled for July 20. And for this inauguration, Jeff Bezos himself will be there with his brother, Mark Bezos. Also, by offering his flight on July 11, Branson gives himself the means to symbolically "beat" the founder of Amazon. You understood, it's not only a space race, but also a real battle of egos.
Also remember that this Thursday, the day of Branson's announcement, Bezos and Blue Origin also invited Wally Funk to participate in the first flight of the New Shepard. Funk, 82, was a member of the private "Mercury 13" program for women who ultimately weren't selected to go to space in the 1960s. So she wanted to be an astronaut, and Jeff Bezos would eventually fulfill her dream.
Finally, let's remember that according to the International Aeronautical Federation, the "limit of space" - or Kármán line - is looming 100 km above the surface of the Earth. However, Branson will likely fly a little above 80 km during this mission, while Blue Origin's New Shepard will take Bezos above 100 km before descending back to Earth. So theoretically, Bezos could argue that Branson never actually reached space.
