Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is a commercial spaceflight company founded by Richard Branson Richard BransonRichard Branson is a British entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group. Beginning with a youth magazine and mail-order records, he expanded into aviation, leisure, telecommunications, finance and commercial spaceflight. He also founded Virgin Unite and is known for ballooning expeditions and his 2021 suborbital flight.Open the full entry in 2004. It develops air-launched suborbital spacecraft for private passengers, research and other missions. VSS Unity began commercial flights in 2023, followed by a transition to Delta-class spacecraft development.

Contents6 sections

Key facts

2004Commercial suborbital flight program

Virgin Galactic was established in 2004 to provide suborbital flights using a reusable carrier aircraft and spacecraft. Missions offer brief weightlessness and high-altitude views rather than placing passengers in Earth orbit.⁠[1][2]

October 2014Test-flight accident

A SpaceShipTwo test-flight accident on October 31, 2014 killed one pilot and injured another. Development continued with a replacement spacecraft; the accident was a major safety and engineering setback before commercialization.⁠[3]

2021–2023Founder flight and commercial service

Richard Branson participated in VSS Unity’s Unity 22 suborbital test on July 11, 2021. Virgin Galactic flew its first paying customers on June 29, 2023, beginning commercial passenger and research operations.⁠[3]

October 2026Delta testing preparations and schedule

On October 26, 2026, the company announced plans to reposition its first Delta spacecraft to Spaceport America for flight-test preparations. Commercial spaceflight targets moved to early Q2 2027 for the first ship and late Q2/early Q3 for the second, reflecting avionics integration and validation work. Commercial flights remained subject to further testing and development.⁠[4]

Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts

Virgin Galactic: Official link: https://www.virgingalactic.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1]

Richard Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson (opens in a new window).⁠[3][5]

Virgin Group Virgin GroupVirgin Group is an investment and brand group originating in the record business established by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in 1970. Its network spans aviation, travel, hospitality, health, telecommunications, finance and spaceflight. Virgin-branded businesses have distinct ownership and operating arrangements.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][6]

Eve Branson Eve BransonEve Branson (1924–2021) was a British philanthropist, writer and former flight attendant, and Richard Branson’s mother. She founded the Eve Branson Foundation to support crafts, vocational training and communities in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/eve-branson (opens in a new window).⁠[1][7]

Virgin Orbit Virgin OrbitVirgin Orbit was a US satellite-launch company founded in 2017. It air-launched LauncherOne rockets from a modified Boeing 747, began commercial service in 2021 and entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2023 before announcing asset sales and cessation of operations. It was distinct from Virgin Galactic.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230523006077/en/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][8]

Virgin Unite Virgin UniteVirgin Unite is Virgin Group’s charitable foundation, established by Richard Branson in 2004. It supports partnerships addressing social and environmental issues and helped develop initiatives including The Elders and The B Team, which have their own governance.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-unite (opens in a new window).⁠[1][9]