![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/53KWCRGSCNDAVXM3NI2FUS55NU.jpg?smart=true&auth=05164bacdf04988b18efb209be445e6cf4d42d45a050732dedc94ca3e5489652&width=400&height=225)
Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, with SpaceShipTwo passenger craft takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port in the US. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XASFJKODJ52Y2PLZ5KCXPPMF4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=d849c3af76e50049ed28c7c67b44af1ecd5ba2b16454b4209693e943db698ced&width=400&height=225)
The release of VSS Unity from VMS Eve and ignition of rocket motor over Spaceport America, New Mexico. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JUQIQ2HBY44SZZ2TYC4KLGK4PM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6d1e75d4bc94e68bf712657f286d669f6a95d7eff152666b485fb37651ca60a&width=400&height=225)
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity, piloted by CJ Sturckow and Dave Mackay, is released from its mothership, VMS Eve. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K27RW5NBQJM5XM2WRBV3G47SQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=da561678a2cce183ba32d01d000b468d055e7a70a313b9175c82b587220db4a5&width=400&height=225)
VSS Unity is seen in a still image from video during its first manned spaceflight after being released from its mothership. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KBSYRK4CBT7HMD63VCDV6ZPSN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7306fa77b09ffbc02683d91cf7a1791d1c3db5bb5d6f2cd50849a138137537eb&width=400&height=225)
VSS Unity achieved a speed of Mach 3 after being released from the mothership. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/53KWCRGSCNDAVXM3NI2FUS55NU.jpg?smart=true&auth=05164bacdf04988b18efb209be445e6cf4d42d45a050732dedc94ca3e5489652&width=400&height=225)
Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, with SpaceShipTwo passenger craft takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port in the US. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XASFJKODJ52Y2PLZ5KCXPPMF4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=d849c3af76e50049ed28c7c67b44af1ecd5ba2b16454b4209693e943db698ced&width=400&height=225)
The release of VSS Unity from VMS Eve and ignition of rocket motor over Spaceport America, New Mexico. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JUQIQ2HBY44SZZ2TYC4KLGK4PM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6d1e75d4bc94e68bf712657f286d669f6a95d7eff152666b485fb37651ca60a&width=400&height=225)
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity, piloted by CJ Sturckow and Dave Mackay, is released from its mothership, VMS Eve. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K27RW5NBQJM5XM2WRBV3G47SQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=da561678a2cce183ba32d01d000b468d055e7a70a313b9175c82b587220db4a5&width=400&height=225)
VSS Unity is seen in a still image from video during its first manned spaceflight after being released from its mothership. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KBSYRK4CBT7HMD63VCDV6ZPSN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7306fa77b09ffbc02683d91cf7a1791d1c3db5bb5d6f2cd50849a138137537eb&width=400&height=225)
VSS Unity achieved a speed of Mach 3 after being released from the mothership. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/53KWCRGSCNDAVXM3NI2FUS55NU.jpg?smart=true&auth=05164bacdf04988b18efb209be445e6cf4d42d45a050732dedc94ca3e5489652&width=400&height=225)
Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, with SpaceShipTwo passenger craft takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port in the US. Reuters
How to watch Richard Branson's space flight and what time is the Virgin Galactic launch?
If successful, the businessman will beat rival Jeff Bezos in the billionaire race
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
11 July, 2021
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