First Ukrainian space tourist returns to Earth

Virgin Galactic has announced that its mission called Galactic 06 successfully returned to Earth.

The company said this in a post on X, Ukrinform reports.

"Welcome back to Earth, Galactic 06! Our pilots, crew and spaceship have landed safely at Spaceport America, New Mexico," Virgin Galactic said.

The mission sent four private passengers to suborbital space and back, among them the first Ukrainian woman ever to reach the final frontier. Their names are Lina Borozdina, Franz Haider, Neil Kornswiet and Robie Vaughn.

This was the company's first flight in 2024. In total, Virgin Galactic has already transported 32 space tourists.

According to Space.com, the Galactic 06 was Virgin's first mission of the year, and one of the final flights for the six-passenger space plane VSS Unity, if all goes according to plan. The company has said that it will soon retire the space plane, which has conducted all Virgin spaceflights to date, to focus on its forthcoming "Delta class" vehicle.

Each Delta plane will be able to fly up to twice per week, according to Virgin representatives. The first Delta vehicle is on track to start test flights in 2025, and the company wants it to begin commercial operations the following year.

Photo: Instagram / Lina Borozdina