The FAA permit gives Virgin Galactic’s space vehicles the green light for powered flight.

Both spacecraft are constructed from carbon composite materials using technology developed by Scaled Composites of Mojave, California. The vehicles are being built to carry six 'space tourists', or the equivalent scientific research payload, on sub-orbital space flights.

This important milestone enables our team to progress to the rocket-powered phase of test flight, bringing us a major step closer to bringing our customers to space. George Whitesides, president and CEO, Virgin Galactic

The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation issues permits after it has determined that the vehicle operator has taken the appropriate steps to protect the public during testing. SpaceShipTwo is the first rocket-powered vehicle that carries humans on board to receive such a permit.

Flight test programme

With 80 test flights completed, WhiteKnightTwo is substantially through its test plan, while the more recently constructed SpaceShipTwo has safely completed 16 free flights. In addition, ten test firings of the SpaceShipTwo rocket motor have been successfully completed.

With the FAA permit granted, Scaled is now authorised to press onward towards rocket-powered test flights. Scaled expects to begin these towards the end of the year.