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Virgin Galactic has unveiled its next-generation spacecraft, Apeiron, bringing the company closer to its planned return to commercial spaceflight in 2027 after a multi-year pause in operations.
The spacecraft has arrived at Spaceport America in New Mexico, where it will undergo final preparations and flight testing before entering commercial service.
Virgin Galactic plans to begin commercial spaceflight aboard Apeiron early in the second quarter of 2027, provided the test program is successfully completed. A second next-generation spacecraft is expected to begin commercial operations late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2027.
Virgin Galactic’s Apeiron next-generation Delta-class suborbital spaceplane. (Galactic Virgo)
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The new spacecraft is designed to fly up to twice a week and complete more than 500 missions over its operational life, potentially allowing Virgin Galactic to conduct commercial flights more frequently.
Virgin Galactic made one final commercial spaceflight in 2024 before suspending operations to focus on developing its next-generation spacecraft.
Apeiron, an ancient Greek word meaning “limitless,” was chosen following a public vote that attracted responses from thousands of people in more than 80 countries on six continents.
After being unveiled at Virgin Galactic’s spaceship factory in Mesa, Arizona, Apeiron was transported under the company’s carrier aircraft, Eve, to Spaceport America, which will serve as the spacecraft’s permanent home and base of operations. The spacecraft departed Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport at 10:29 a.m. MST and arrived in New Mexico at 12:59 p.m. MDT.
Virgin Galactic’s Apeiron spacecraft has docked with Eve, the company’s launch vehicle.
Virgin Galactic said its engineering team will now finalize avionics software integration and validation while preparing Apeiron for flight testing.
Meanwhile, production of the company’s broader fleet is underway, with assembly of a second spacecraft and a static test article progressing at its Arizona facilities.
Virgin Galactic’s Apeiron spacecraft has docked with Eve, the company’s launch vehicle. (Galactic Virgo)
The schedule remains contingent on the successful completion of flight tests and other development work.
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Virgin Galactic plans to provide additional updates on the program during its third-quarter earnings conference call in November.
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