History of Virgin Galactic in Timeline
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc., a British-American spaceflight company founded by Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, focuses on developing commercial spacecraft and offering suborbital spaceflights for space tourists. Headquartered in California and operating from New Mexico, the company utilizes air-launched suborbital spacecraft deployed from beneath a carrier airplane called White Knight Two. Virgin Galactic achieved its first spaceflight with VSS Unity in 2018, although initially projected for 2010. The 2014 crash of VSS Enterprise significantly contributed to the delay.
May 1996: X Prize Created
The X Prize, later renamed the Ansari X Prize, was created in May 1996.
May 20, 2003: First Flight of SpaceShipOne
The first flight of SpaceShipOne took place on May 20, 2003, from the Mojave Airport.
December 2003: First Privately Built Supersonic Flight
On December 17, 2003, SpaceShipOne made its first rocket-powered flight, becoming the first privately built craft to achieve supersonic flight.
May 6, 2004: Ansari X Prize Renamed
The X Prize was renamed the Ansari X Prize on May 6, 2004, after a donation from Anousheh and Amir Ansari.
October 4, 2004: Ansari X Prize Won
The Ansari X Prize was won on October 4, 2004, by the Tier One project.
2004: SS1 Flights
In 2004, SS1, the predecessor to SS2, became the world's first private spaceship with a series of high-altitude flights.
2004: Virgin Galactic Founded
Virgin Galactic was founded in 2004 by Richard Branson.
2005: The Spaceship Company Founded
The Spaceship Company (TSC) was founded in 2005 to build commercial spaceships and launch aircraft for Virgin Galactic.
February 2007: NASA Collaboration Explored
In February 2007, Virgin Galactic and NASA signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential collaboration.
July 2007: Mojave Accident
On July 26, 2007, a nitrous oxide tank explosion during testing in Mojave killed three Scaled Composites employees and injured three others, leading to a fine for Virgin Galactic due to health and safety breaches.
July 2007: Scaled Composites Accident
Three Scaled Composites employees were killed in an explosion during rocket motor testing for SpaceShipTwo in July 2007.
July 2008: Branson's Prediction
Richard Branson predicted in July 2008 that the first Virgin Galactic space voyage would occur within 18 months.
2008: TSC Production Begins
TSC began production of spacecraft in 2008 after the development of prototypes by Scaled Composites.
2008: Test Launch Announcements and Spaceport Plans
In 2008, Virgin Galactic announced plans for test launches from the Mojave Spaceport and revealed the selection of URS and Foster + Partners architects for Spaceport America in New Mexico. They also mentioned potential future operations in Europe.
2008: LauncherOne Development Begins
Virgin Galactic began working on the LauncherOne orbital launch vehicle in late 2008.
October 2009: Spaceport America Announcement
Virgin Galactic announced in October 2009 that flights from Spaceport America would begin within two years.
December 2009: SpaceShipTwo Unveiling
On December 2009, SpaceShipTwo was unveiled at the Mojave Spaceport. Richard Branson announced that flights would begin in 2011.
December 2009: Rocket Plane Unveiling
On December 7, 2009, Richard Branson unveiled the SS2 rocket plane, announcing plans to carry fare-paying passengers on short journeys above the atmosphere.
2009: LauncherOne Specifications Defined
The technical specifications for LauncherOne were defined in detail in late 2009.
March 2010: Captive Flights
White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo conducted their first captive flights together in March 2010.
October 2010: Spaceport America Runway Opening
In October 2010, the runway at Spaceport America was opened, and the VSS Enterprise was transported to the site.
2010: Initial Maiden Flight Target
Richard Branson initially aimed for Virgin Galactic's maiden spaceflight to occur in 2010, but this target was not met due to various setbacks.
2010: Planned RFPs for Satellite Business
Virgin Galactic planned to initiate RFPs for its satellite launch services using White Knight Two in early 2010.
2010: Aabar Investment
Aabar Investments acquired a 31.8% stake in Virgin Galactic in 2010.
April 2011: Flight Delay Announcement
In April 2011, Branson announced further delays, pushing the estimated start of spaceflights to approximately 18 months later.
July 2011: Aabar Investment
Aabar Investments increased its stake in Virgin Galactic to 37.8% in July 2011 with an additional investment of $110 million.
September 2011: Completion of Test Flights
By September 2011, SpaceShipTwo had completed a series of test flights, both attached to White Knight Two and in glide tests.
2011: David Mackay Becomes Chief Pilot
David Mackay was appointed as chief pilot for Virgin Galactic in 2011.
2011: NASA Contract Awarded
Virgin Galactic secured a contract with NASA in 2011 for up to $4.5 million for research flights.
February 2012: Test Flight Update
By February 2012, SpaceShipTwo had conducted multiple test flights, attached and in glide tests, preparing for powered flights.
July 2012: LauncherOne Public Announcement
LauncherOne was publicly announced in July 2012, designed to launch small satellites into Earth orbit.
2012: Virgin Galactic acquires TSC
Virgin Galactic acquired the remaining 30% of The Spaceship Company in 2012.
2012: Virgin Starts Exploring Smallsat Launch Vehicles
In 2012, Virgin began developing a smallsat launch vehicle.
April 2013: First Rocket-Powered Test Flight
On April 2013, SpaceShipTwo's first rocket-powered test flight occurred, achieving supersonic speed but falling short of initial predictions.
May 2013: Branson's Announcement of First Public Flight
In May 2013, Branson announced his intention to be on the first public flight of SpaceShipTwo, rescheduled for December 25, 2013.
May 2013: Ticket Price Increase
In May 2013, the ticket price for a Virgin Galactic flight increased from $200,000 to $250,000.
June 2013: Steve Isakowitz Becomes President
Steve Isakowitz was appointed president of Virgin Galactic in June 2013.
August 2013: Ticket Sales and Passenger Count
By August 2013, 640 customers had signed up for a flight on SS2, with ticket prices at $250,000.
December 25, 2013: Rescheduled First Public Flight
The first public flight of SpaceShipTwo was rescheduled to December 25, 2013, with Branson intending to be onboard.
January 2014: Third Rocket-Powered Test Flight
The third rocket-powered test flight of SpaceShipTwo took place in January 2014, successfully testing the RCS and thermal protection.
February 2014: Discovery of Cracks in WhiteKnightTwo
In February 2014, cracks were discovered in WhiteKnightTwo's fuselage during an inspection.
May 2014: Engine Change
On May 23, 2014, Virgin Galactic announced they were abandoning the Sierra Nevada Corporation's nitrous-oxide-rubber motor for SpaceShipTwo.
June 2014: Talks with Google
Virgin Galactic was in talks with Google for funding in June 2014.
July 2014: SNC Engine Abandonment
On July 24, 2014, Sierra Nevada Corporation confirmed they had also abandoned the nitrous-oxide-rubber motor for their Dream Chaser space shuttle.
July 2014: Eve Branson's Spaceflight Intention
In July 2014, Branson's mother, Eve, expressed her intention to travel to space, tentatively by the end of the year.
September 2014: Commercial Flight Rescheduled
In September 2014, Branson announced that the first commercial flight was rescheduled for February or March 2015.
September 2014: SpaceX and Boeing Awarded NASA Contracts
In September 2014, SpaceX and Boeing were awarded contracts by NASA for their Crew Dragon and CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, respectively.
October 2014: VSS Enterprise Crash
On October 31, 2014, the fourth rocket-powered test flight of VSS Enterprise ended in a fatal crash, killing co-pilot Michael Alsbury and injuring pilot Peter Siebold.
October 2014: Further Delays and Backlash
Following further delays in October 2014, Branson faced criticism and skepticism about the feasibility of the project's timeline.
October 2014: Initial Statement on VSS Enterprise Crash
Following the crash in October 2014, Virgin Galactic released a statement attributing the test flight to Scaled Composites.
October 2014: Whitesides' Statement
George T. Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic, questioned the credibility of earlier launch date predictions in October 2014.
October 2014: VSS Enterprise Crash
In October 2014, the VSS Enterprise, Virgin Galactic's suborbital spacecraft, crashed during a test flight, significantly delaying the company's plans for commercial spaceflights.
November 2014: Criticism of Virgin Galactic's Response
In November 2014, Virgin Galactic faced criticism for its attempts to distance itself from the VSS Enterprise crash.
November 2014: Investigation into VSS Enterprise Crash
In November 2014, investigations into the VSS Enterprise crash pointed to the premature deployment of the tail system as a potential cause.
November 2014: Flight Delays and Branson's Projections
In November 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported tension between Branson's optimistic projections and the actual delays faced by Virgin Galactic, highlighting the challenges in meeting deadlines while prioritizing safety.
2014: Unmaterialized Satellite Flights
As of 2014, the planned satellite launch services using White Knight Two had not yet materialized.
2014: Factors Contributing to the Crash
The 2014 crash was attributed to several factors, including the co-pilot's premature unlocking of the tail section and lack of a fail-safe system.
2014: Last Powered Test Flight Before VSS Unity
In 2014, the last powered test flight before the introduction of VSS Unity took place.
January 2015: Investment in OneWeb Satellite Constellation
In January 2015, Virgin Group invested in the OneWeb satellite constellation for global internet access, with Virgin Galactic taking a share of launch contracts.
March 2015: LauncherOne Research and Manufacturing Center
In 2015, Virgin Galactic established a research, development, and manufacturing center for LauncherOne. In March 2015, they reported being on schedule for test flights by the end of 2016.
March 2015: Target Date for Commercial Flight
March 2015 was announced as the target date for the first commercial flight of SpaceShipTwo.
June 2015: OneWeb Contract
On June 25, 2015, Virgin Galactic signed a contract with OneWeb Ltd. for 39 satellite launches.
July 2015: NTSB Findings on VSS Enterprise Crash
In July 2015, the NTSB released its findings on the 2014 VSS Enterprise crash, citing inadequate design, poor training, and lack of oversight as contributing factors.
2015: Smallsat Launch Business Becomes Core Focus
In 2015, Virgin shifted its focus towards smallsat launches due to delays in the human spaceflight program.
2015: Blue Origin's New Shepard First Unmanned Flight
Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft completed its first unmanned flight above the Karman line and landed successfully in 2015.
February 2016: VSS Unity Rollout
The VSS Unity, the replacement for VSS Enterprise, was unveiled in February 2016.
August 2016: Ground Tests for VSS Unity Conclude
Ground tests for VSS Unity finished in August 2016, paving the way for flight tests.
September 2016: Captive Carry Flights Begin for VSS Unity
Captive carry flights for VSS Unity commenced in September 2016.
October 2016: Mike Moses Replaces Isakowitz as President
Mike Moses took over as president of Virgin Galactic from Steve Isakowitz in October 2016.
December 2016: VSS Unity's First Glide Test
VSS Unity conducted its first successful glide test in December 2016.
2016: Blue Origin's New Shepard Second Unmanned Flight
Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft completed its second unmanned flight above the Karman line and landed successfully in 2016.
2016: Planned LauncherOne Test Flights
Virgin Galactic planned to begin LauncherOne test flights with its Newton 3 engine by the end of 2016.
2016: Supersonic Jetliner Collaboration
In 2016, Virgin Galactic, The Spaceship Company, and the Virgin Group collaborated with Boom Technology to develop a supersonic passenger jetliner.
March 2017: Virgin Orbit Spin-off
In March 2017, Virgin Galactic spun off its LauncherOne team into a new company called Virgin Orbit.
2017: Virgin Orbit is Formed
Virgin Orbit was established as a separate company in 2017 to handle the smallsat launch business.
2017: XCOR Aerospace Closes
XCOR Aerospace, which had been developing the Lynx suborbital vehicle, ceased operations in 2017.
2017: Virgin Orbit Formation
Virgin Galactic hived off its satellite launch development, LauncherOne, into a separate company called Virgin Orbit in 2017.
2017: LauncherOne and Cosmic Girl Transferred to Virgin Orbit
The LauncherOne system and its carrier aircraft, Cosmic Girl, were transferred to Virgin Orbit in 2017.
2017: LauncherOne Business Spun Off into Virgin Orbit
The LauncherOne business was spun off into Virgin Orbit in 2017.
January 2018: Seven Glide Tests Completed for VSS Unity
By January 2018, VSS Unity successfully completed seven glide tests.
April 2018: VSS Unity Conducts First Powered Test Flight Since 2014
In April 2018, VSS Unity performed its first powered test flight since 2014.
July 2018: VSS Unity Exceeds Previous Testing Milestones
By July 2018, VSS Unity achieved greater altitudes and speeds than its predecessor during testing.
December 2018: VSS Unity Reaches New Height Record
In December 2018, VSS Unity reached an altitude of 82.7 km, earning commercial astronaut wings for its pilots.
December 2018: First Suborbital Space Flight
VSS Unity achieved its first suborbital space flight in December 2018, reaching an altitude of 82.7 kilometers and marking a significant step in space tourism.
2018: Maiden Spaceflight
Virgin Galactic achieved its maiden spaceflight with VSS Unity in 2018, marking a significant milestone for the company.
January 2019: Partnership with Under Armour for Spacesuits
Virgin Galactic partnered with Under Armour in January 2019 to create spacesuits and uniforms.
February 2019: First Passenger Cabin Test Flight
In February 2019, VSS Unity carried a third crew member in the passenger cabin for the first time.
February 2019: First Passenger Flight
In February 2019, Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity carried its first passenger, reaching an altitude of 89.9 kilometers.
October 2019: Public Listing
Virgin Galactic became the first publicly traded space tourism company in October 2019, listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'SPCE'.
February 2020: VSS Unity Relocated to Spaceport America
VSS Unity was moved to Spaceport America, New Mexico, in February 2020 and conducted two test flights at 15 km altitude.
November 2020: COVID-19 Delays Test Flight
A key test flight of VSS Unity was postponed in November 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 2020: Technical Issues Halt Engine Ignition
A computer connection problem prevented engine ignition during a test flight in December 2020.
2020: Options for Boom Supersonic Jets Expire
Virgin Galactic's options for 10 Boom Technology XB-1 supersonic jets expired in 2020.
March 2021: VSS Imagine Rollout
The first Spaceship III, VSS Imagine, was unveiled in March 2021, with ground and glide tests planned.
May 2021: First Human Spaceflight from New Mexico
On May 22, 2021, VSS Unity completed its sixth powered test flight, marking the first human spaceflight from New Mexico.
May 22, 2021: Mothership Eve Carries VSS Unity
Mothership Eve carried VSS Unity to a launch altitude of 44,000 feet on May 22, 2021.
July 2021: Fully Crewed Test Flight with Richard Branson
A fully crewed test flight with Richard Branson and others on board took place in July 2021, but was later found to have deviated from its designated airspace.
July 2021: Maximum Height Reached
As of July 2021, the maximum height reached by SpaceShipTwo was 89.9 km.
July 2021: Blue Origin's First Crewed Flight
In July 2021, Blue Origin launched its first crewed flight, carrying Jeff Bezos, his brother, Oliver Daemen, and Wally Funk.
July 2021: Virgin Galactic Launches Founder Richard Branson into Space
In July 2021, Virgin Galactic launched its founder, Richard Branson, into space, marking the first time a spaceflight company independently launched its founder.
July 2021: Branson's Spaceflight
Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, traveled to space aboard VSS Unity in July 2021, making history as the first spaceflight company founder to do so.
July 2021: Virgin Galactic Reschedules Flight
Virgin Galactic rescheduled its flight to July 2021 after Blue Origin announced its plans to fly Jeff Bezos to space.
August 2021: Virgin Galactic Ticket Price
In August 2021, the price of a ticket for a Virgin Galactic flight was US$450,000.
October 2021: Upgrade Program Announced for Unity and Eve
In October 2021, Virgin Galactic announced an upgrade program for Unity and Eve, delaying commercial flights.
Feb 2022: Virgin Galactic Aims to Resume Commercial Service
Virgin Galactic planned to return its suborbital spaceplane to commercial service in February 2022.
February 2022: Ticket Sales Open
Virgin Galactic opened ticket sales to the public in February 2022, with a ticket price of $450,000.
July 2022: Partnership with Boeing
In July 2022, Virgin Galactic announced a partnership with Boeing's Aurora Flight Sciences to design and build its next-generation mothership for Delta-class spaceplanes.
2022: Commercial Flights Expected to Resume
Commercial flights were anticipated to restart in mid-2022 following the upgrades.
May 2023: Virgin Orbit Shutdown
Virgin Orbit, a spin-off company of Virgin Galactic focused on satellite launches, ceased operations in May 2023.
June 2023: First Commercial Flight
Virgin Galactic launched its first commercial space tourism flight, Galactic 01, in June 2023.
June 2023: Virgin Galactic's First Commercial Flight
Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight took place in June 2023, carrying three passengers from the Italian Air Force and the Italian National Research Council.
2023: Boeing Lawsuit
In 2023, Boeing ended its contract with Virgin Galactic and filed a lawsuit over unpaid bills.
2023: Virgin Orbit Ceases Operations
Virgin Orbit ceased operations in 2023 due to bankruptcy.
2023: Virgin Orbit Bankruptcy
Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy in 2023.
June 2024: Final Unity Flight
In June 2024, Virgin Galactic conducted the last flight of its Unity spacecraft, Galactic 07, before transitioning to Delta-class vehicles for a higher launch cadence.
2025: Delta Class Testing
Virgin Galactic aims to have the Delta class spaceship, its third-generation vehicle, ready for testing in 2025.
2025: Generation 2 Motherships and Delta-Class Spaceplanes
Virgin Galactic plans to have its generation 2 motherships and Delta-class spaceplanes ready by 2025.
2026: Delta Class Commercial Flights
Commercial flights for the Delta class spaceship are planned to begin in 2026.