After a 15-month overhaul, Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve carrier aircraft is once again basking in the bright sunshine of the Mojave Desert as it prepares for taxi tests today. Follow www.twitter.com/spacecom for updates.
VMS Eve was outside its FAITH production facility at the Mojave Air and Space Port at Rutan Field on a clear and chilly Monday morning being prepared for tests to evaluate a series of upgrades to the 14-year old mother ship.
In the afternoon, VMS Eve made a short taxi test on runway 12-30. It then headed back to FAITH.
VMS Eve‘s taxi tests will be followed by a flight test to evaluate the modifications. That flight could take place next week.
VMS Eve will fly back to Spaceport America in New Mexico to complete the flight tests of SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity, which it air launched at an altitude of around 47,000 ft. VSS Unity is capable of carrying two pilots and four passengers on suborbital trips.
Virgin Galactic officials have said they are on track to complete flight tests of VMS Eve by the end of March and begin commercial flights in the second quarter. Tickets cost $450,000 apiece.
