[4] Unity was able to reach space as defined by the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, by going over 50 miles (80.5 km) above sea level.

[3][7][8] Unity was retired on 8 June 2024 after its final flight took place on that date, as Virgin Galactic shifted its focus to the next generation Delta-class vehicles.

[22] The spaceship was unveiled on 19 February 2016,[23] as Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson had projected in November 2015; ground and flight testing commenced thereafter.

[32] The first powered flight test took place on 5 April 2018 when a 30-second rocket firing accelerated Unity to a speed of Mach 1.87 and an altitude of 84,271 ft (25,686 m).

[36][37] Following its February 2019 flight to space, VSS Unity began to undergo modifications including installation of the commercial cabin, and changes to cockpit displays.

[38] Upon completion of these modifications, VSS Unity along with its carrier craft, VMS Eve, were moved to Spaceport America in New Mexico in February 2020.

[39] After completing two additional glide tests in New Mexico in May and June 2020, VSS Unity underwent final modifications to the commercial cabin[40] and in July 2020, Virgin Galactic first publicly showed the interior of the spacecraft.

A notable flight occurred in 2021 when Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson flew aboard Unity to space.