VSS Unity aborts after engine start, safely lands with crew back at Spaceport America
December 12, 2020
Virgin Galactic was to perform their first human spaceflight of their VSS Unity SpaceShipTwo vehicle from Spaceport America, just south of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, today.
The spaceship and crew took off at 10:24 EST (15:24 UTC) firmly attached to their WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft from the runway at Spaceport America. The combined aircraft climbed to altitude before Unity was released at 11:15 EST (16:15 UTC).
After release, Unity lit its engine but aborted one second into firing. The ship and pilots executed the proper procedures and brought Unity to a successful, unpowered descent and landing. The crew is safe and manually landed Unity after the abort.