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Virgin Goes All In On Delta

On June 8, 2024, while hugging the belly of mother ship VMS Eve, VSS Unity, began its final flight, ushering in a new generation of Virgin Galactic spacecraft, Delta-class. In a bold move, Virgin Galactic retired the VSS Unity, after 7 successful flights to focus on Delta.  In July 2024, the company celebrated the completion of a massive manufacturing facility outside Phoenix, AZ  where the first two, next generation spacecraft, will be produced beginning Q1 of 2025. The Delta-class production schedule, and the retirement of the VSS Unity ship, suggests that Virgin Galactic flights will be grounded until at least Q1 of 2027. 

Hello, Ken Baxter, AKA Rocketman here, coming to you from chilly Las Vegas, Nevada, and thanks for stopping by.

VSS Unity 9.08.2023 spaceflight

VSS Unity Craft with Ken Baxter Aboard - September 8, 2023

The company has been busy behind the scenes at a new ground testing facility located in Southern California that debuted in May, 2024 for the new spacecraft’s subsystems. The testing of critical systems including pneumatics, avionics, feather actuation and hydraulics are being completed using an Iron Bird testing rig. The final assembly of the new spacecraft will be completed in the new Arizona facility and launched from Spaceport America in New Mexico. 

The latest Virgin Galactic business model overview sets some lofty goals. The plan hinges on the redesigned, larger Delta-class crafts being easily reusable; able to accommodate 6 passengers + 2 crew members.  A three day cycle to relaunch the craft would enable Delta-class ships to carry 750 passengers to space yearly. The current cycle time for Unity is about two months and can carry 4 passengers +2 crew members on each flight.

Space tourism is a growth industry and Virgin is banking heavily on pent up demand for the service, stating that less than 1% of this demand has been met by all of the existing space companies combined. Having critical testing done in advance in California while the Arizona facility was being constructed may help Virgin meet the completion schedule they have set for Q4 2026. 

New Arizona Virgin Galactic Delta-class Facility

I am rooting for them to be successful and achieve their aggressive, production schedule. The new cost of a space flight experience will be $650,000 per passenger. That’s a big $$$ number. The business plan overview also includes plans to introduce another pair of Delta-class ships as well as projections for a second VMS Eve mother ship. 

I waited nearly 20 years after taking a leap of faith, purchasing the very first ticket on the fledging company, the concept was still a dream. Science and rocket technology have come a long way in those years. I can’t wait to see what’s next…maybe I will go again! 

Ken Baxter, signing off and thank you again for stopping by.  Don’t forget to visit KenBaxter.com, Green Global and WeThePeople.com for additional updates and interesting content, and I hope to see you again real soon! 

Ken Baxter