Virgin Galactic’s new VSS Unity spaceplane has flown free for the first time this week. It was released from its carrier aircraft at 10:40am EST. After a 10-minute glide, it landed back on its runway in Mojave.

This is Virgin Galactic’s first free flight test since the fatal accident in October 2014 that destroyed the company’s initial spaceplane, and claimed the life of one pilot and injured another.

The VSS Unity is the replacement craft. Since September it has been flown five times attached to its carrier aircraft to test airflow and performance at high altitude in the frigid temperatures of the upper atmosphere.

On 3 December, the sixth flight took place. This time, when the aircraft reached an altitude of 50,000ft, Unity was released and allowed to fly free for the first time. During its descent, it reached a speed of 735kph (456mph).

Although this is about 0.6 times the speed of sound, the company described it as “light and slow” because the spaceplane will have to break the sound barrier to reach the edge of space. To accelerate in this way, the spacecraft will need to ignite its rocket engine.

It was during a powered test flight that the tragedy took place in October 2014. The company attributed the disaster to pilot error, as the space plane’s folding wings were unlocked too early.

The company now promises more glide tests before a return to powered flight. Eventually, it intends to carry space tourists for $250,000 each. In September, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said that his company’s ultimate goal was to offer trips to Mars for just $200,000 per person.

