More links on the recent Captive Carry Flight 3:-

• Private spaceship makes first crewed flight -- MSNBC
• SpaceShipTwo makes first flight with crew aboard -- Wired

(Source: Link via RLVNews.com)

Video by Virgin Galactic of first crewed flight by SS2 prototype VSS Enterprise on 15th July:

According to Twitter user @mlaughlin there is another WK2/SS2 test flight taking place right now. There have been persistent rumours that a drop test of SS2 is imminent, but it is unknown whether it will take place on this flight.

UPDATE: No SS2 drop occurred on this flight. It was later reported in SS2 test logs as Captive Carry Flight 3, a drop test simulation run in preparation for independent SS2 flights. It was the first captive carry flight with the SS2 manned with a test crew.

Flight WK2 Flight 33 / CC-03
Date: 15 Jul 10 Flight Time: 6.2 hr
WK2 Pilot: Stucky WK2 CoPilot: Kalogiannis WK2 FTE: Maisler
SS2 Pilot: Siebold SS2 CoPilot: Alsbury

Objectives:
SS2 manned captive carry
Mated flutter evaluation
SS2 systems evaluation
SS2 mission rehearsal

Results:
Objectives achieved. Pilots in SS2 evaluated the systems and procedures for the upcoming glide flights. A simulated SS2 mission was flown from release down to low approach. Performed low approach then full stop on Runway 30.

(Source: Scaled Composites)

Flight: 28
Date: 15 Jun 10
Flight Time: 5.3 hr
Pilot: Siebold CoPilot: Stucky
FTE: Stinemetze

Objectives:
SS2 mission practice
ECS evaluation
Control evaluation
Low fuel evaluation
Window fog evaluation

Results:
All objectives achieved. Climed to 51,500 ft and the ECS performed flawlessly. Flew cross-country to descend over the Pacific to evaluate window fogging. Upon return to the desert, performed controls evaluation which showed good positive control with power loss. Performed "roller coasters" (45° climb, low g pushover followed by 30° nose low dive) to evaluate low fuel states. Touch and goes were uneventful. Full stop landing on Rwy 26.

(Source: Scaled Composites)

SpaceShipTwo tests enter manned phase:-

Test: SS2 Taxi 01
Date: 14 Jun 10 Time: 3 hr on runway
Crew (runs 01-04): Siebold / Nichols
Crew (runs 05): Stucky / Nichols

Results:
Monday was a great milestone for the team. We performed five tests from 25 to 60 mph with two different pilots. All objectives were achieved. They were: condition the brakes and evaluate the landing gear/brake steering/skid shoe performance and general ground handling. The vehicle performed as expected and we're excited to move into the manned phase of the test program.

Update: Twitter @Suborbi_Science: "Sounds like Virgin Galactic is considering a drop test of SpaceShip2 as soon as next month!"

WK2 and SS2 made another captive carry test flight last Sunday:

Flight WK2 Flight 27 / CC-02
Date: 16 May 10 Flight Time: 4.7 hr
Pilot: Siebold CoPilot: Stucky
FTE: Maisler

Objectives:
SS2 pressurization evaluation
SS2 electrical system evaluation
SS2 avionics performance evaluation
SS2 approaches
Post-Flight cold soaked systems testing

Results:
All objectives achieved. SS2 was pressurized and powered from the mothership in flight. Peak altitude was 51,000 ft which allowed for a long cold-soak to evaluate the robustness of the hardware. A simulated Spaceship decent/glide mission was made from altitude to high key. Several approaches followed for pilot training/proficiency.

The Scaled Composites shows that a new hot-fire test of the hybrid motor was conducted on 30th March.

• Scaled Composites conducts first SpaceShipTwo hot-fire engine test in ten months -- Parabolic Arc

Fire: 04
Date: 30 March 10

Objectives:
Perform fourth full scale flight design RM2 hot-fire – planned flight fuel
Performed flight design Rocket System evaluation
Pressurization system evaluation
Data Acquisition system evaluation
Fuel formulation evaluation
Nozzle evaluation
CTN structural evaluation
Valve/Injector evaluation

Results:
All objectives completed. Performed successful hot-fire, including oxidizer flow and pressurization systems, data acquisition system measurements, structural evaluation, nozzle ablation, and fuel regression rate data collection. Determined stability levels.