Virgin Galactic completes third successful spaceflight

Virgin Galactic completed its third successful launch into outer space Saturday in New Mexico, according to the company, which aspires to become the first-ever commercial space line. The spacecraft, named VSS Unity, was the first completed flight from Virgin Galactic in over two years.

"Space travel is a bold and adventurous endeavor," Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic Michael Colglazier said in a statement. "I am incredibly proud of our talented team for making the dream of private space travel a reality." VSS Unity — which carried astronauts CJ Sturckow and Dave Mackay — was brought up to an altitude of 55.45 miles by aircraft VMS Eve, which was piloted by Kelly Latimer and Michael Masucci. Saturday's trip made Sturckow the first person to ever have flown to space from three different states and made New Mexico the third U.S. state to launch humans into outer space.