Former Clevedon schoolboy joins Sir Richard Branson on Virgin Galactic spaceflight
A former Clevedon School student has been to the edge of space with billionaire Sir Richard Branson, as part of Virgin Galactics first fully-crewed space flight.
Colin Bennett is lead engineer for Branson's company and one of five other teammates who joined the Virgin Galactic founder on the rocket powered test flight on Sunday (11 July).
The spaceflight was the 22nd launch by Virgin Galactic and the first time the company has launched a fully crewed flight to the edge of space.
Bennett, along with the rest of the team aboard the VSS Unity spacecraft, set off for the 1.5-hour mission from Spaceport America, New Mexico.
In total, there was two pilots and four mission specialists aboard the Unity, including Branson, which was carried by the twin-fuselage carrier jet VMS Eve to 50,000ft before propelling itself upwards where the passengers experienced zero gravity.
While on board, Bennett's role was to evaluate cabin equipment, procedures, and experience during both the boost phase and in the weightless environment.
His former physics teacher Andy Davis, who is still teaching at Clevedon School, said: “I remember him as a calm, modest and hard working student with a great work ethic.
"He was one of those students that had quiet drive and resolve and excellent leadership skills.
“It has been amazing to hear about his journey from Clevedon to outer space.”
Colin has kept in touch with the school and is part of the ‘Inspiring Alumni’ the school has on display in the corridors.
Despite a very busy week of final preparations, he was in touch with the school to offer a video conference with students in the coming weeks to talk through his experience and give a unique insight into his role and the flight.
Sir Richard Branson hopes the flight will make him the first billionaire to leave Earth, beating mega-rich rivals Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
If successful, the entrepreneur could allow paying customers aboard next year.