Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is a commercial spaceflight company founded by Richard Branson in 2004, specializing in suborbital tourism aboard its SpaceShipTwo winged spaceplane. The company launched from Spaceport America in New Mexico using the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft. After years of development following the 2014 VSS Enterprise fatal accident, Virgin Galactic conducted Richard Branson's flight in July 2021 and began commercial service in 2023 with the Galactic 01 mission. However, the company suspended all SpaceShipTwo flight operations in July 2023 to redirect resources toward the next-generation Delta class vehicle, designed for higher flight rates and operational efficiency. As of 2026, Virgin Galactic is in a development hiatus — not actively flying, not accepting new bookings, and significantly reduced in headcount. The Delta class vehicle represents the company's planned path back to commercial operations, but timeline and financing remain uncertain. SPCE stock has declined sharply from its peak.