Virgin Galactic goes SUPERSONIC: Incredible video reveals how SpaceShipTwo broke sound barrier in its third test flight SpaceShipTwo is shown being tucked under carrier plane WhiteKnightTwo It is then filmed falling away before using its hybrid rocket engine During the flight, the aircraft travelled at its maximum velocity of Mach 1.4 Supersonic speeds helped the craft reach altitudes of 71,000ft Virgin Galactic pilot Dave MacKay successfully piloted SpaceShipTwo Richard Branson says commercial space flights will occur later this year Not content with breaking its own previous altitude records, an incredible video of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo reveals the latest test flight also managed to smash through the sound barrier. The video, taken by cameras placed on carrier plane WhiteKnightTwo, show SpaceShipTwo reaching its maximum velocity of Mach 1.4, approximately 767mph at sea level. Any speeds faster than Mach 1 are considered supersonic. The test at Mojave Air and and Space Port in California was designed to simulate a flight into outer space that will go into effect later this year. During its third test flight in California, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, pictured, reached a top speed of Mach 1.4. This is approximately 767 mph at sea level, and helped the craft reach an altitude of 71,000ft above the Mojave Air and Space Port in California SpaceShipTwo reached its maximum velocity of Mach 1.4, which is equivalent to approximately 767mph at sea level. The speeds during this third test flight also helped the aircraft reach an altitude of 71,000ft. The flight prior to this test reached 69,000ft. The speeds during this third test flight also helped the aircraft reach an altitude of 71,000ft - the flight prior to this test reached 69,000ft. Cameras mounted on SpaceShipTwo, including one mounted on a tail boom, captured various angles and views of the rocket soaring into the sky. In this image, SpaceShipTwo is shown igniting her hybrid rocket motor. Cameras mounted on SpaceShipTwo, including one on a tail boom, captured the unique views shown in Virgin's video. Virgin Galactic also included a rear-facing camera on SpaceShipTwo that showed the trail of smoke as the aircraft reached new heights This particular test was meant to monitor the thermal coating on the tail of the spacecraft as well as the ship's control system that helps the pilot make his way out of outer space, and give space tourists the best views. Together the planes took off at 7:20 am PT and rose to 46,000ft. After 46,000ft, the pilots unhooked SpaceShipTwo for a rocket blast. The plane is then shown coasting in the sky following the burn before the pilots positioned its wings to ensure a stable descent. Minutes later, once the wings were straight, the plane landed on Mojaves 12,000ft runway with WhiteKnightTwo landing minutes afterwards. The third test flight also reached an altitude of 71,000 feet. It was the first flight in which a Virgin Atlantic pilot sat in the cockpit SpaceShipTwo blast-off is also visible from this rear-facing camera. The test at Mojave Air and and Space Port in California was meant to simulate a flight into outer space that will go into effect later this year SpaceShipTwo is seen here moments before ignition of her hybrid rocket motor, as seen from carrier plane WhiteKnightTwo. Virgin Galactic eventually wants to host commercial space tours with Katy Perry and Justin Bieber said to have already bought tickets worth $250,000 (£152,000) SpaceShipTwo is a enhanced version of SpaceShipOne. The original rocket plane, which won the $10 million Ansari X Prize for private spaceflight in 2004 in Mojave, now lives at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. During the first part of the test flight, SpaceShipTwo was tucked beneath twin-fuselage WhiteKnightTwo, pictured.Together the planes took off at 7:2 am PT and rose 46,000ft. The plane is then unhooked and shown coasting in the sky following the burn before the pilots positioned its wings to ensure a stable descent Virgin's CEO Sir Richard Branson (right) 'high tens' with SpaceShipTwo test pilot Mark Stuckey (left) following the successful first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo Tickets cost $250,000 (£152,000). Branson hopes to move the passenger flight base to Spaceport America in New Mexico.