Virgin Galactic Jumps on NASA Deal for Private Space Trips
- Company will help develop ‘private astronaut experiences’
- Shares have been under pressure with Branson paring his stake
The VMS Eve carrier aircraft at Spaceport America.
Photographer: Justin Bachman/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. surged after the company announced a deal with NASA to develop private trips to the International Space Station.
Such “private astronaut experiences” could range from citizen expeditions to government-enabled scientific research missions, the company said in a statement Monday. Under its agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Virgin Galactic will identify candidates interested in buying trips to the ISS while also arranging transportation and other resources.