Virgin Galactic announced the rollout of its Spaceship Two vehicle, Apeiron, from its factory in Mesa, Arizona, to Spaceport America in New Mexico. CEO Michael Colglazier stated the vessel would be transported by the VMS Eve aircraft to complete avionics and software upgrades. Following ground tests, Apeiron will undergo captive carry and drop tests before a powered flight above 80 km.
Despite earlier optimism, the company now projects Apeiron's first commercial spaceflight for early Q2 2027. This delay reflects ongoing challenges in the sector; in 2021, shares peaked at $1,118, but recent trading has hovered around $2.50. The move underscores the difficulty of achieving the frequent, durable flight cadence necessary for commercial viability.
Nevertheless, industry observers suggest Apeiron could begin carrying paying customers on suborbital tourism missions within 12 to 18 months, representing a critical step in expanding the aperture of space tourism beneath the company's current capabilities.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing