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’s (Mojave, Calif., U.S.) all-composite VSS Unity performed its 24^th flight mission on April 26, completing a successful glide flight after being released at 47,000 feet from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The data collected during the mission will be used to determine clearance for the vehicles returning to spaceflight. The success of this mission, in addition to data previously gathered in a mated configuration flight, also enables final validation test points to be closed out, Virgin Galactic says.

“Releasing Unity for a glide flight is one of the final steps towards commercial spaceline operations,” says Mike Moses, president of spaceline missions and safety at Virgin Galactic. “The ability to conduct glide flights — allowing us to gain critical performance metrics without the need for rocket-power — is one of the benefits of our distinctive flight system. The data from this validation flight will clear the way for our return to space, and, ultimately, lead to the launch of commercial service.”

The mission’s objectives involved evaluating the performance of the spaceship in the glide phase of flight, following the modification period; continuing to evaluate the handling qualities and flight controls of the spaceship; and gathering data on the mothership pylon with the spaceship attached during standard climb and release. The ability to conduct glide flights provides performance metrics without the need for rocket-power. A glide flight includes elements of spaceflight profile, including a mated takeoff, high altitude release from the mothership and landing.

Following the collection and analysis of this data, Virgin Galactic says its next mission will be rocket-powered spaceflight. This flight plans to carry two pilots and four Virgin Galactic mission specialists to assess the customer experience and ground-based training prior to the launch of commercial service.