Virgin Galactic gets ground support from Land Rover for space flight mission

MANILA: Land Rover takes pride in its contributions to Virgin Galactic’s first ever fully crewed commercial space flight. Land Rover units were used to transport the astronauts and to tow back the Virgin Galactic space vehicles.

Virgin Galactic Founder Sir Richard Branson was one of the four Mission Specialists who traveled using the SpaceShipTwo Unity craft, along with two pilots. The crew began and concluded their mission at Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA. Branson arrived for the “Unity 22” mission in a Range Rover Astronaut Edition. After a safe landing, the spacecraft was towed back by a Land Rover Defender 110.

The space flight was livestreamed worldwide, allowing the public to have a first-hand glimpse of the extraordinary experience provided by Virgin Galactic for future astronauts.

In a statement, Jaguar Land Rover North America President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Eberhardt said, “This is an incredible technical and human achievement for the Virgin Galactic team as they took personal adventure to thrilling new heights. Land Rover is proud to have supported this exciting mission and we look forward to supporting all the flights into the future.”

Virgin Galactic is the world’s first commercial “spaceline.” Around 600 Future Astronaut customers have already registered to be transported to their space flights by vehicles provided by Land Rover.

Aside from transporting the astronauts and towing the space vehicles, Land Rovers are also used to carry the equipment needed and clear the runways before take-off.

“Land Rover has been by our side, on our side and part of our daily lives at Virgin Galactic since 2014. It was completely fitting that these capable, luxurious and iconic vehicles played a central part in today’s historic events. As we look ahead to the start of a full commercial service, we couldn’t be more delighted to know that Land Rover will be going Above and Beyond, as together we open space to change the world for good,” Virgin Galactic Chief Customer Officer Stephen Attenborough stated.

In 2019, Branson, together with Land Rover Chief Creative Officer Prof. Gerry McGovern OBE, unveiled the Range Rover Astronaut Edition. This luxury SUV was developed by Land Rover SV Bespoke and exclusively offered to Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut customers. The Range Rover Astronaut Edition embodies the shared values of the two companies and the Future Astronaut community’s historic contribution to the democratization of space.

Watch the mission here.

Photos from Land Rover

Also read: Land Rover PH rolls out iconic Defender 90