Virgin Galactic to Begin Assembly of Six-Passenger Delta Spacecraft in March

The company plans to launch its first commercial research flights in 2026, with private astronaut trips slated for later that year.

Virgin Galactic will start assembling its new Delta-class spacecraft at a facility near Phoenix in March 2025, aiming to enhance its space tourism capabilities.
The Delta spacecraft will accommodate six passengers, two more than its predecessor, and is designed for faster turnaround between flights.
Test flights are projected to begin in spring 2026, with commercial research payload flights expected by summer 2026 and private astronaut trips by fall 2026.
Tickets for private astronaut flights are priced at $600,000 each, with the company planning to clear its 700-person waitlist within a year of starting operations.
Virgin Galactic has completed 12 successful spaceflights since its first commercial mission in June 2023 and aims to reach a flight rate of two missions per week by 2027.