Virgin Galactic delays commercial spaceflight restart to Q2 2027

MESA, Arizona - Virgin Galactic has postponed the flight tests of its next-generation spaceship to Q2 2027, according to a statement released today. The company's lead spaceship will be transported from its manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona, to Spaceport America in New Mexico, strapped to its launch vehicle Eve for a captive-carry test flight. The spaceship's name will be unveiled to the public on the same day through a global online vote, with participants from over 80 countries.

Virgin Galactic's CEO, Michael Colglazier, highlighted the significance of the milestone, marking a crucial step in the development of the world's first human spaceship platform for regular commercial spaceflight. The delay is due to additional time required for integrating and validating the spaceship's avionics software.

As part of the transition, more than 100 Virgin Galactic astronauts are entering the initial phase of readiness and preparation, with further groups to follow. The company's focus will now shift towards completing the structural test assembly of the spaceship's wing and fuselage, finishing the assembly of the second spaceship, and preparing the rocket motor assembly line. Structural testing of the spaceship's feather has already been completed.

Virgin Galactic will provide updates on the October 28 flight via its social media channels and share further details on upcoming flight tests and financial outlook during its third-quarter earnings call in November.