A pilot from the Highlands has become the first Scottish-born astronaut in space.
Dave Mackay was at the helm of Virgin Galactic's latest test flight of its commercial space fleet, SpaceShipTwo.
Today, as part of Virgin Galactic's fifth supersonic mission, he left the Earth's atmosphere for the first time at 4.55pm on Friday.
SpaceShipTwo, welcome back to space
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) 22 February 2019
Born in Helmsdale, he has been the company's chief pilot since 2011.
The 61-year-old has now become the first ever Scot to enter space, despite reports that astronaut Brian Binnie took the title back in 2004.
Read more: From SpaceX to Virgin Galactic: the race to space tourism
Although his father is Scottish and he himself grew up in Aberdeenshire, Brian was born in West Lafayette, Indiana in the United States.
And now Dave has swooped to be named both the first Scot in history and the 569th person to enter space, with Virgin Galactic confirming the success on Twitter.
Congratulations to our Chief Pilot, Dave Mackay. Today, you became the 569th person to enter space and the first Scottish-born astronaut! pic.twitter.com/v3HbsLTPsl
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) 22 February 2019
Virgin Galactic is the world's first commercial spaceline, with owner Richard Branson hoping to make space tourism a reality in the next few years
A series of tests have been carried out since 2011, with SpaceShipTwo entering orbit for the first successful time in December 2018.
SpaceShipTwo took off from Mojave, California after days of weather delay, marking its second successful trip into orbit since a crash in 2014 left a pilot dead.
Read more: Prestwick still set on role as UK spaceport despite Virgin Galactic flight catastrophe
Onboard the shuttle with Dave was lead trainer pilot Michael J Masucci and chief astronaut instructor Beth Moses.
Speaking after he landed, Dave said: "Beth, Sooch and I just enjoyed a pretty amazing flight which was beyond anything any of us has ever experienced.
"It was thrilling yet smooth and nicely controlled throughout with a view at the top, of the Earth from space, which exceeded all our expectations.
"I am incredibly proud of my crew and of the amazing teams at Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company for providing a vehicle and an operation which means we can fly confidently and safely.
"For the three of us today this was the fulfillment of lifelong ambitions, but paradoxically is also just the beginning of an adventure which we can’t wait to share with thousands of others."
At the boundary of space, the three crew members on board experienced weightlessness for a moment as they traveled in micro-gravity.
The plane soared as high as 55.85 miles, or 2,949,007 feet, according to Virgin Galactic.
Sir Richard Branson said: "Flying the same vehicle safely to space and back twice in a little over two months, while at the same time expanding the flight envelope, is testament to the unique capability we have built up within the Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company organizations.
"I am immensely proud of everyone involved. Having Beth fly in the cabin today, starting to ensure that our customer journey is as flawless as the spaceship itself, brings a huge sense of anticipation and excitement to all of us here who are looking forward to experiencing space for ourselves.
"The next few months promise to be the most thrilling yet."
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