The Italian passengers unfurl the nation's flag while floating inside the spacecraft.VSS Unity has been released from the carrier aircraft and the spacecraft is firing its rocket engine.Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Virgin Galactic stock is up more than 30% so far year to date. But, at its previous close of $4.74 a share, the stock is well off the highs it hit in 2021 of nearly $50 a share. That peak came in the months leading up to when founder Richard Branson flew on a test spaceflight.Space tourism is a fledgling piece of the overall space economy, and"Galactic 01" represents Virgin Galactic's official debut into that sub-sector.
"Galactic 01" is airborne! VMS Eve just took off moments ago, and will now carry VSS Unity up to its release point altitude.Carrier aircraft VMS Eve and spacecraft VSS Unity are on the move, taxiing on the runway at Spaceport America. They're expected to take off in a few minutes.Carrier aircraft VMS Eve takes off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, carrying spacecraft VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.
In total, the flights last about 90 minutes from when VMS Eve takes off to the time VSS Unity touches back down.The company's pair of vehicles is carrying eight people in total: four pilots and four passengers.
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