Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum receives SpaceShipTwo rocket motor from Virgin Galactic

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, March 29, 2024


Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum receives SpaceShipTwo rocket motor from Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson (C) unveils the rocket engine that powered a commercial passenger ship on its first flight into space as a new artifact for the upcoming "Our Future in Space" exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, on February 7, 2019. The RocketMotorTwo is the engine that flew on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo "VSS Unity" into space on December 13, 2018. Jim WATSON / AFP.



WASHINGTON, DC.- The National Air and Space Museum received RocketMotorTwo, the hybrid engine that powered Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, called VSS Unity, into space for the first time Dec. 13, 2018. This historic flight showcased Virgin Galactic’s newest vehicle, capable of carrying up to six passengers into space. RocketMotorTwo will eventually be displayed in the “Future of Spaceflight” exhibition, scheduled to open in 2024 as part of the museum’s seven-year renovation.

“SpaceShipTwo’s rocket motor is an exciting addition to the national collection of milestone spaceflight artifacts,” said Ellen Stofan, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the museum. “It is a unique piece of history that represents a new era in space travel and is sure to inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers.”

Virgin Galactic pioneered commercial spaceflight with the launch of SpaceShipOne in October 2004. That historic vehicle is currently on display in the museum’s “Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.” The recent launch of VSS Unity builds on the previous success of SpaceShipOne and is a major step forward as Virgin Galactic prepares to send passengers into space for the first time.

RocketMotorTwo is a hybrid engine that combines elements of solid and liquid propellant rocket engines. Solids are simpler and cheaper to operate, while liquids provide more flexibility. They can be turned on and off during flight and can also by throttled to vary thrust. All of these attributes are desirable and maximized in SpaceShipTwo.

“We’re proud to be making history as we work toward launching the world’s first commercial space line, and today we could not be more delighted to donate a piece of that history to the incredible National Air and Space Museum for its wonderful new exhibition,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. “The desire to explore space has been an inspiration since time began and, in recent decades, an incredible catalyst for innovation. I hope our donation will also play a small part in inspiring the thousands of visitors as they pass through the new gallery in years to come.”

The rocket motor will be displayed at the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, before the “Future of Spaceflight” exhibition is completed.










Today's News

February 9, 2019

Dinosaur that defended itself with spiny backbone found in Patagonia

Groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence artwork to be offered at auction for the first time

Exhibition at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen presents over 800 Bauhaus objects

Christie's to offer The George Michael Collection

Exhibition at ARKEN features Patricia Piccinini's magical and thought-provoking works

Most comprehensive exhibition of works by Laure Prouvost opens at Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp

'Angry Young Man' actor Albert Finney dies aged 82

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum receives SpaceShipTwo rocket motor from Virgin Galactic

Works spanning Robert Mangold's career from 1967 to 2017 on view at Galerie Greta Meert

Superman and Wonder Woman have landed at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Art Museum of West Virginia University names new Director

The Davis Museum challenges the expected in 'Art_Latin_America: Against the Survey'

First major retrospective of George Shaw's work opens at the Holburne Museum

MIT List Visual Arts Center opens two new solo exhibitions

Quartz Studio opens the first solo show in Italy by the Swedish artist Astrid Svangren

Andréhn-Schiptjenko opens new gallery space with exhibition of works by Tony Matelli

Inaugural Connect Art Fair impresses as friendly fair with steady flow of sales

The Poster Prize for Illustration 2019 winners announced

At last, an exhibition about landscape architecture!

James Freeman Gallery opens a solo exhibition with new work by British artist James Mortimer

FACTION Art Projects opens annual exhibition celebrating the local talent of Harlem

Kunstverein München opens a solo exhibition of new sculptures and installations by Eva Fàbregas

National Museum of the American Indian opens "Section 14: The Other Palm Springs, California"




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful