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 is preparing for a critical test flight this month, aiming to launch commercial space tourism flights for $450,000 per person by June, after a prolonged period of inactivity.
The upcoming "Unity 25" test flight, carrying a diverse crew, will serve as a final assessment for its 90-minute suborbital experience.
After years of delays, regulatory challenges, and over $1.5 billion in operating losses, the success of these flights is crucial for the company's financial future and its goal of scaling commercial operations.

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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.