Virgin Galactic Carries Third Set of Tourists to Edge of Space
- Branson venture’s fourth commercial flight since June
- Profitability not seen until Delta spaceplane launch in 2026
Viewers watch as Virgin Galactic's SpaceshipTwo takes off in Mojave, California.
Photographer: Gene Blevins/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. sent its third crew of paying tourists to the edge of space on Friday, as billionaire Richard Branson’s cosmic adventure firm extended its commercial flights for a third straight month.
The flight marks the latest milestone in Virgin Galactic’s quest to establish a “spaceline for Earth” and surpass rival Blue Origin, which has launched six commercial passenger missions with its New Shepard rocket. However, the New Shepard rocket remains sidelined by a 2022 mishap.