The allure of space exploration is undeniable, but the harsh reality is that lofty pronouncements from companies in this field often collide with the intricate complexities of development.
Take Virgin Galactic, a pioneer in space tourism, whose grand vision of a thriving spacefaring industry faces a significant hurdle: their current spacecraft, VSS Unity. Despite a handful of successful missions over the past few years, only one was a commercial flight. This limited track record exemplifies the challenges Virgin Galactic faces in scaling its operations.
Moreover, their plans to dramatically increase flight frequency hinge on the introduction of the next-generation Delta spacecraft. Originally slated for production in 2023, these new vehicles have encountered delays, pushing the assembly line start date to the first quarter of next year.
The Delta class, built upon the Unity’s foundation but designed for mass production, will be a collaborative effort. Bell Textron will provide the unique feathering system that allows Virgin’s spaceships to transition between rocket and glider phases, while Qarbon Aerospace takes the lead on the fuselage and wing construction.
This next-generation fleet promises to expand Virgin’s passenger capacity by 50%, allowing it to accommodate six space tourists per suborbital voyage. To meet the demands of this larger fleet, Virgin has constructed a dedicated production facility in Mesa, Arizona.
This cutting-edge factory will serve as the central hub for Delta assembly and testing, with crucial components undergoing rigorous pre-flight integration at a separate Southern California facility.
With construction finalized and tooling installation progressing swiftly, the Mesa factory is poised to kick off production later this year. This significant milestone paves the way for the commencement of commercial Delta operations in 2026, marking a giant leap forward in Virgin Galactic’s mission to democratize space travel.
