Video: Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo’s First Crewed Flight

SpaceShipTwo, also known as the VSS Enterprise, had made its first flight with a crew aboard, and we’ve got video.

Thursday’s flight marked the first time a captive-carry flight of the spacecraft and its mothership, Eve, has included pilots on SpaceShipTwo. The video includes preparation of the morning flight and air-to-air footage from the Beechcraft Starship chase plane.

The flight lasted more than six hours and included tests of systems aboard board the spacecraft, according to Virgin Galactic. The flight is part of the test program that will lead to the first glide flight of the spacecraft.

There have been several preparation flights during the last month, suggesting the team is preparing for the glide flight even though no date has been released. Though with the Farnborough International Airshow taking place this week and Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, next week, the media-savvy Virgin Galactic team has ample motivation to create a headline or two.

Video: Virgin Galactic