Galactic 01

Galactic 01, previously referred to as Unity 23, was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which launched on 29 June 2023.^[1] The launch was the first commercial spaceflight for Virgin Galactic.^[2] A research mission for the Italian Air Force,^[3] the crew consisted of pilots Michael Masucci and Nicola Pecile as well as crew members Colin Bennett, Walter Villadei, Angelo Landolfi, and Pantaleone Carlucci (National Research Council of Italy – CNR). The flight was postponed from its original planned October 2021 flight date for Virgin Galactic to upgrade its SpaceShipTwo vehicles.^[4][5]

Galactic 01

VSS Unity in February 2016
Names	Galactic 01 (official) Virgin Galactic Unity 23 (former)
Mission type	Crewed suborbital spaceflight
Operator	Virgin Galactic
Apogee	85.1 km (52.9 mi)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	VSS Unity
Spacecraft type	SpaceShipTwo
Manufacturer	The Spaceship Company
Crew
Members	Michael Masucci Nicola Pecile Walter Villadei Angelo Landolfi Pantaleone Carlucci Colin Bennett
Start of mission
Launch date	29 June 2023 14:30:00 UTC
Launch site	Spaceport America Runway 34
Deployed from	VMS Eve
End of mission
Landing date	29 June 2023 15:42:28 UTC
Landing site	Spaceport America Runway 34
Galactic 01 mission patch VSS Unity spaceflights ← Unity 25 Galactic 02 →

During the flight, Villadei wore a suit to measure biometric data and his physiological responses to spaceflight. Landolfi carried out experiments on the effects of microgravity on cognitive performance, along with its effects on how materials mix. Carlucci's heart rate and other metrics were monitored through sensors during the flight.^[6]

Crew

Position	Crew
Commander	Michael Masucci Fourth spaceflight
Pilot	Nicola Pecile First spaceflight
Astronaut Instructor	Colin Bennett Second spaceflight
Mission Director	Walter Villadei First spaceflight
Doctor	Angelo Landolfi Only spaceflight
Researcher	Pantaleone Carlucci Only spaceflight