Virgin Galactic is progressing through a new series of ground tests on its SpaceShip class vehicles as it prepares for upcoming glide flights of VSS Unity from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The campaign focuses on validating vehicle systems and structures following Unity’s most recent missions, ensuring the suborbital spaceplane is ready for further unpowered test flights beneath the carrier aircraft VMS Eve.
The current work includes ground-based functional checks on avionics, flight control surfaces, propulsion-related systems for the hybrid rocket motor interface, and the mechanical release system that separates Unity from Eve at altitude. These tests are designed to confirm performance margins and identify any necessary adjustments before the next glide sorties, which provide key data on handling qualities, descent profiles, and landing performance.
Virgin Galactic is maintaining its incremental approach, moving from detailed ground verification to captive-carry flights and then to free glides. The results will inform planning for subsequent powered flights and future commercial suborbital operations, with engineers using telemetry and post-test inspections to refine procedures and maintenance schedules for the reusable spaceplane.