Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic aerospace company has announced a contract to conduct a special exploration flight for Kellie Gerardi, a member of the International Institute of Space Sciences (IIAS). The astronaut will conduct experiments and test new healthcare technologies while in space.
What Will Be The Main Virgin Galactic Mission In Space?
Virgin Galactic expects to bring new benefits to the space science research community by offering the affordability and quality of a weightless environment that has historically been a barrier to space travel research. A large part of their mission is to provide scientists and researchers with reliable and frequent access to space for future exploration.
During space flight, Kellie will unbuckle from her seat and take the necessary steps to complete each experiment within a few minutes of zero gravity. Virgin Galactic will provide face-to-face education and training to ensure that the astronaut is fully equipped with the knowledge to get the job done.
The IIAS and Virgin Galactic teams will work with academic and government partners to carefully plan Kellie's flight operations to maximize the advancements in science and technology from research experiments.
What Exactly Will Gerardi Do There?
Research experiments will include measurements with biomonitoring devices, including the Astroskin Bio-Monitor zero gravity sensor systems. Such devices are designed to measure the effects of launch, weightlessness, atmospheric entry, and landing on space flight participants. The second part of the experiment includes studies on finding liquid in zero gravity, the data of which can be used to create new technologies, such as humidifiers for life support systems for spacecraft, as well as the production of new designs of syringes for injecting drugs in space.
Virgin Galactic is becoming more successful now and its shares are growing. Just after the announcement of the flight to space, the company's shares in the premarket rose 7.61% to $33.5. Later growth slowed to 2.47% ($31.90).
It has previously successfully tested the SpaceShipTwoUnity manned spacecraft. The carrier aircraft VMS Eve lifted it to an altitude of over 8 miles, after which the ship flew on its own. This flight was the company's first successful test since February 2019. The company needs to conduct just three test flights before the first commercial launch.
Source: Virgin Galactic