Virgin Galactic Plans Return to Space This Month

The crewed mission will clear the runway for commercial launch in June.

Monday, May 08, 2023 at 05:52 PM ET

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A tailcone view from Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity test flight in April, the first since 2021. [Courtesy: Virgin Galactic]

Key Takeaways:

Virgin Galactic's upcoming Unity 25 test flight, scheduled for late May, is a crucial step towards resuming commercial space tourism flights in June, after several years of delays due to FAA investigations and aircraft refurbishment.
The $450,000-per-person spaceflights offer 90 minutes of weightlessness and Earth views, targeting wealthy clientele. Virgin Galactic has already sold approximately 800 tickets, totaling around $210 million.
This test flight will assess Virgin Galactic's core offering before potentially launching four Italian Air Force officers into space in June and aiming for up to 400 flights annually thereafter.
Despite substantial operating losses, a successful relaunch could significantly improve Virgin Galactic's financial standing and competitiveness against rivals like Blue Origin.

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Ninety minutes of weightlessness, exhilaration, and panoramic views of the Earth for the price of $450,000 a head—that’s the vision Virgin Galactic wants to turn into reality next month.

Billionaire business mogul Richard Branson’s space tourism firm has been quiet since the founder’s highly publicized maiden voyage in 2021. But on Monday, the firm announced its return to space with a test flight later this month, which could finally clear the way for a commercial launch in June.