Virgin Galactic to Assemble New Delta SpaceShip, Eyes 2026 for Commercial Flights and High-Altitude Applications

Virgin Galactic plans to begin assembling its first Delta SpaceShip in March at a new facility near Phoenix, Arizona. Executives announced during an earnings call on February 26 that commercial flights are projected to commence in mid-2026, initially focusing on research payloads. Test flights are slated for spring 2026. CEO Michael Colglazier emphasized the company's confidence in meeting these timelines, citing confirmed delivery dates for all necessary tools and parts. The Delta SpaceShip design is derived from the retired VSS Unity, which should expedite the flight test program. Following research flights, which will include employee testing, Virgin Galactic aims to initiate private astronaut flights, targeting a flight rate of two per week by early 2027. The company is also exploring repurposing its VMS Eve mothership for high-altitude, long-endurance applications like intelligence and surveillance, leveraging its heavy-lift capability. Virgin Galactic reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $288.5 million in 2024 and holds $657 million in cash to support the Delta SpaceShip program.