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Unity

active
Human SpaceflightLEOLaunched 12/4/1998
Admin Edit
Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
ISS 2A (Unity)
Launch Vehicle
Space Shuttle
Launch Date
12/4/1998
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
393.5 km
Inclination
51.59 deg
Dry Mass
9,280 kg
Total Mass
11,600 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Human Spaceflight
Payload Category
SS
Payload Class
C
Organizations
Operator
NASA Johnson Space Center
Manufacturer
Boeing
Registry
UN Registration
ST/SG/SER.E/418
Track
Mentions
197
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

PIGI was the first Unity game engine digital twin to receive fielding authority from the US Space Force.

LegalValue 4.0Jul 19, 2026Saber Astronautics releases Saber Commander spacecraft constellation operations software

VSS Unity’s glide characteristics and energy-management profile closely mirror those of Virgin Galactic’s new Spaceship.

Capability
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General
Value 2.0
Jun 3, 2026
Prototype Spaceship Resumes Glide Flights Ahead of Next-Generation Vehicle Test Program

Virgin Galactic has begun unpowered glide flights over Spaceport America in New Mexico using its prototype spaceplane VSS Unity.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.2Jun 3, 2026Prototype Spaceship Resumes Glide Flights Ahead of Next-Generation Vehicle Test Program

Ground controllers are scheduled to install Cygnus XL on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port to begin unloading cargo.

PlanValue 4.0Apr 7, 2026NASA sets for CRS-24 space station resupply launch

Virgin Galactic’s most recent suborbital human spaceflight mission was in June 2024, which was the last flight of the VSS Unity spaceplane.

GeneralValue 3.0Mar 5, 2026Latest News

Virgin Galactic retired its SpaceShipTwo vehicle VSS Unity in June 2024 to focus resources on the Delta-class suborbital spaceplanes.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Feb 2, 2026Suborbital’s descending trajectory

On November 27, Northrop Grumman's cargo spacecraft Cygnus XL was repositioned to the Earth-facing port of the Unity module.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 2, 2025史上初、ISSのドッキングポートがすべて埋まる–8機の宇宙船で

Dos semanas después, el transbordador espacial estadounidense Endeavour acopló el módulo Unity al módulo Zaryá en la Estación Espacial Internacional (ISS).

GeneralValue 4.0Nov 4, 202525 años de la ISS: un faro de la cooperación humana con fecha de caducidad

Passengers can also view space and Earth through Unity's windows.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Sep 25, 2025米ヴァージン・ギャラクティック、米大学との微小重力体験飛行を2027年に打ち上げ

Passengers aboard Unity experience 4 to 5 minutes of weightlessness and can unbuckle their seatbelts to float inside the cabin.

CapabilityValue 3.8Sep 25, 2025米ヴァージン・ギャラクティック、米大学との微小重力体験飛行を2027年に打ち上げ

After detachment from Eve, Unity ascends on its own rocket engine to over 80 km in altitude.

CapabilityValue 3.7Sep 25, 2025米ヴァージン・ギャラクティック、米大学との微小重力体験飛行を2027年に打ち上げ

Virgin Galactic's mothership, 'Virgin MotherShip Eve,' ascends to an altitude of 15 km with the spacecraft 'Virgin SpaceShip Unity.'

PlanCapabilityValue 2.8Sep 25, 2025米ヴァージン・ギャラクティック、米大学との微小重力体験飛行を2027年に打ち上げ

Virgin Galactic is developing the 'Delta Class' as a successor to Unity.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 25, 2025米ヴァージン・ギャラクティック、米大学との微小重力体験飛行を2027年に打ち上げ

Commercial flights aboard Unity are expected to conclude in June 2024.

PlanValue 4.0Sep 25, 2025米ヴァージン・ギャラクティック、米大学との微小重力体験飛行を2027年に打ち上げ

After capture, Cygnus XL will be installed to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port for cargo unloading.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 15, 2025Cargo Launches Aboard Northrop Grumman CRS-23

Trimble launched Trimble Unity in June 2024 as a new asset lifecycle management suite for owners of capital improvement projects and public infrastructure.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Jul 16, 2024Trimble and Esri Elevate Long-standing Partnership to Drive Innovation

Virgin Galactic announced it would retire VSS Unity to focus on developing the next generation Delta-class vehicle.

PlanGrowthGeneralValue 3.8Jun 24, 2024Suborbital spaceflight’s crossroads

Virgin Galactic plans to operate three flights a week with Delta vehicles, compared to one Unity flight a month.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.0Jun 24, 2024Suborbital spaceflight’s crossroads

Virgin Galactic will retire VSS Unity by the middle of 2024 to conserve about $1,000,000,000 in cash to complete work on the Delta class of vehicles.

PlanFinancialValue 4.0Jun 8, 2024Virgin Galactic conducts final VSS Unity commercial suborbital spaceflight

VSS Unity released from VMS Eve at 11:26 a.m. Eastern on 2024-06-08 and reached an altitude of 87.5 km before landing back at Spaceport America at 11:41 a.m. Eastern.

GeneralCapabilityPlanValue 4.6Jun 8, 2024Virgin Galactic conducts final VSS Unity commercial suborbital spaceflight