Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is a British-American spaceflight company founded in 2004 by Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, following SpaceShipOne's landmark victory in the Ansari X Prize competition. Headquartered in Tustin, California, Virgin Galactic develops and operates suborbital spacecraft to provide commercial spaceflights for private astronauts and scientific researchers.

The company's VSS Unity (SpaceShipTwo) is air-launched from the VMS Eve carrier aircraft, providing approximately six minutes of weightlessness during a total flight time of about 2.5 hours. As of 2026, twelve Virgin Galactic flights have exceeded the 50-mile altitude threshold recognized by U.S. standards. Beyond tourism, the company offers its spacecraft as a platform for scientific microgravity research, supporting researchers and institutions seeking access to the suborbital environment.

Virgin Galactic is developing its next-generation Delta-class spacecraft to significantly increase flight frequency and reduce operational costs compared to VSS Unity. The Delta-class vehicles are designed for higher flight rates, targeting expanded access to suborbital space for both tourism and research markets beginning in 2026. The company stands as a pioneering force in the development of the commercial human spaceflight industry.