Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to the skies for the 1st time (video)
Virgin Galactic has transferred its first next-generation Delta-class suborbital space plane, named Apeiron, to its launch site at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The six-passenger vehicle lifted off for its maiden voyage beneath the wings of carrier aircraft VMS Eve, traveling from the manufacturing site in Mesa, Arizona. Apeiron targets up to eight monthly flights, with commercial service expected in early Q2 2027. CEO Michael Colglazier stated that seeing the ship fly to Spaceport America was a moment years in the making.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ Virgin Galactic's first Delta-class space plane is named Apeiron.
- ✓ Apeiron translates from ancient Greek to mean boundless.
- ✓ The spacecraft lifted off beneath the wings of its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve.
- ✓ Apeiron traveled from Virgin's manufacturing site in Mesa, Arizona, to Spaceport America in New Mexico.
What changed
Virgin Galactic completed the first flight of its newly named Delta-class space plane, Apeiron, moving the vehicle from Arizona to New Mexico.
Live updates
-
Virgin Galactic Flies First Delta-Class Space Plane, Apeiron
Virgin Galactic has transferred its first next-generation Delta-class suborbital space plane, named Apeiron, to its launch site at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The six-passenger vehicle lifted off for its maiden voyage beneath the wings of carrier aircraft VMS Eve, traveling from the manufacturing site in Mesa, Arizona. Apeiron targets up to eight monthly flights, with commercial service expected in early Q2 2027. CEO Michael Colglazier stated that seeing the ship fly to Spaceport America was a moment years in the making.
Why it matters
The introduction of the Delta-class vehicle revives Virgin Galactic's bid for a space airline by scaling up flight frequency and passenger capacity. The name Apeiron derives from ancient Greek, meaning boundless. The company relies on its carrier aircraft to transport the suborbital space plane from manufacturing to launch facilities for flight testing.
What is confirmed
- Virgin Galactic's first Delta-class space plane is named Apeiron.
- Apeiron translates from ancient Greek to mean boundless.
- The spacecraft lifted off beneath the wings of its carrier aircraft, VMS Eve.
- Apeiron traveled from Virgin's manufacturing site in Mesa, Arizona, to Spaceport America in New Mexico.
- Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier commented that seeing the ship fly to Spaceport America was a moment years in the making.
Still unconfirmed
- The six-passenger Apeiron spaceship targets up to eight monthly flights.
- Commercial service is expected in early Q2 2027.
What to watch next
- Progression of flight testing at Spaceport America
- Updates regarding the start of commercial service in early Q2 2027
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (14)
- Space — Meet Apeiron, Virgin Galactic's 1st 'Delta-class' space plane
- SpaceNews — Virgin Galactic rolls out new suborbital spaceplane
- Universe Today — Virgin Galactic Flies Next-Gen Space Plane to New Home With New Name
- New Atlas — Virgin Galactic's new rocket plane revives its bid for a space airline
- Space — Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to the skies for the 1st time (video)
- KOB 4 — New Virgin Galactic spaceship arrives at Spaceport America
- Gizmodo — Virgin Galactic Unveils a Shiny New Spaceplane for the Ultra-Rich to Almost Reach Space
- FlightGlobal — Virgin Galactic transfers first newly-designed spaceplane to base for flight testing
- www.space.com — Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to ...
- www.cerritosnewspaper.com — Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to ...
- www.newsbeep.com — Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to ...
- article.wn.com — Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to ...
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community