Virgin Galactic

Learn more about Virgin Galactic's plan to make space tourism and personal space travel a reality with SpaceShipTwo.

Related Topics: Space Tourism, SpaceX, NASA Space Launch System

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Boundary of Space Being Reconsidered as Virgin Galactic Test Program Advances

By Jeff Foust last updated

As Virgin Galactic gets closer to its first suborbital flights into space, a potential change in terminology could make it easier for the company to achieve that milestone.

Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson (third from right) will launch on the company's first fully crewed flight on July 11, 2021 as part of a six-person crew. They are (from left): Pilot Dave Mackay; Coplin Bennet, lead operations engineer; Beth Moses, chief astronaut instructor; Branson; Sirisha Bandla, vice president of government affairs and research operations; and pilot Michael Masucci.

Will Richard Branson actually reach space on Virgin Galactic's 1st fully crewed launch?

By Mike Wall last updated

As the commercial race to suborbital space has heated up in the past few years, a tricky question has popped up again and again: Where does outer space begin?

spaceshiptwo

Where DOES Space Begin? Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Flies Right into the Debate

By Meghan Bartels last updated

close up of spaceshiptwo firing its engines in space with earth visible as a blurry blue area to the right

Virgin Galactic releases roadmap for its new space tourist spaceship

By Elizabeth Howell published

Virgin Galactic will partner with Axiom Space to give astronauts a brief weightless experience, and it has new suppliers to build the next-generation Delta spaceship in 2023.

An up-close look at VSS Unity's rocket motor in action on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic pushes 1st commercial passenger flight to spring 2023

By Elizabeth Howell published

Suborbital space tourism provider Virgin Galactic will delay its first commercial flight by about three months due to issues with upgrades to its mothership fleet, which carries spaceships aloft.

A view of the high deserts of New Mexico where Virgin Galactic will build a new astronaut training facility.

Virgin Galactic plans new astronaut training facility near Spaceport America

By Brett Tingley published

Virgin Galactic has acquired land for a new astronaut campus and training facility in New Mexico close to Spaceport America.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic opening new spaceship factory in Arizona

By Elizabeth Howell published

Suborbital space tourism provider Virgin Galactic could build up to six spaceships a year at its newly announced Arizona facility.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic picks Boeing subsidiary to build new carrier planes for space tourism flights

By Elizabeth Howell published

Suborbital space tourism provider Virgin Galactic announced a deal Wednesday (July 6) to build a new set of carrier planes.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic pushes 1st planned commercial passenger flight to 2023

By Elizabeth Howell published

Aspiring space tourists will need to wait a little longer before soaring into suborbital space with Virgin Galactic.

A view of Earth from Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity during the Unity 22 flight on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic plans to start flying paying customers this year

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic's suborbital spaceliner is grounded at the moment, but the company is confident it'll be fully up and running by the end of the year.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic is reopening space tourist ticket sales for a limited time

By Elizabeth Howell published

Starting Wednesday (Feb. 16), aspiring space tourists can once again book a trip to the final frontier with Virgin Galactic.

The Inspiration4 crew poses for a selfie in the Crew Dragon cupola.

FAA ending commercial astronaut wings program as more people reach space

By Elizabeth Howell published

The 17-year-old program met its goal in raising awareness and the names will still be listed online, the agency said.

From left, Omaze CEO and co-founder Matt Pohlson, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, Omaze winner Keisha S., and Space for Humanity Executive Director Rachel Lyons congratulate Keisha at her home in Antigua.

Virgin Galactic announces winner of free trip to suborbital space

By Mike Wall published

Keisha S., a health and energy coach from the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, just won a free trip to suborbital space with Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic sells 100 new tickets for space tourist launches

By Mike Wall published

About 100 people have bought a ticket to ride to suborbital space since Virgin Galactic reopened sales in August, at $450,000 apiece.

Elon Musk says SpaceX's Falcon 9 reusability is key to success in the new documentary "Space Titans."

'Space Titans' goes inside a billionaires' space race on Discovery+ (exclusive clip)

By Elizabeth Howell published

In "Space Titans," a new documentary launching today (Nov. 4), SpaceX founder Elon Musk shares the secret of his company's Falcon 9 rocket success.

An up-close look at VSS Unity's rocket motor in action during the vehicle's most recent spaceflight, which occurred on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic delays next crewed space launch to 2022

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic won't fly another crewed space mission this year after all.

A Saturday Nigh Live sketch starring Owen Wilson spooks Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and other space billionaires.

SNL spoofs Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin and space billionaires with 'Star Trek' skit

By Elizabeth Howell published

It stars Owen Wilson as a cowboy-hatted Jeff Bezos.

SpaceX's all-civilian Inspiration4 astronauts are all smiles after splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean to end their historic three-day trip to orbit on the Crew Dragon Resilience.

Do space tourists really understand the risk they're taking?

By Tereza Pultarova last updated

Space tourism vehicles are probably the only technology with the potential to kill humans that doesn't need to undergo independent safety certification. Is that a good idea?

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

FAA clears Virgin Galactic to start flying again

By Mike Wall published

The Federal Aviation Administration has wrapped up its six-week inquiry into the July 11 test flight of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane.

An up-close look at VSS Unity's rocket motor in action during the space plane's suborbital test flight on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic delays next spaceflight to investigate possible component defect

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic has pushed its next mission back a bit to investigate a possible manufacturing defect that might affect its VSS Unity space plane.