Virgin Galactic completes final spaceflight before Delta’s debut

Virgin Galactic (NYSE:SPCE) successfully concluded its second and last spaceflight for the year at Spaceport America, New Mexico, on Saturday, as the Richard Branson-founded space tourism company sets sights on its next generation “Delta class” of spaceships.

The mission, Galactic 07, carried one researcher and three private astronauts, marking the company’s 12th mission to date, Tustin, California-based Virgin Galactic (SPCE) said.

“Galactic 07 is back on terra firma, now as astronauts! Our pilots, crew and spaceship have landed safely at Spaceport America, New Mexico,” the company wrote on X.

The mission lasted less than an hour, giving U.S., Turkish, and Italian passengers a few minutes of weightlessness and a chance to witness the Earth’s curve.

Galactic 07 marked the last commercial flight for Virgin Galactic’s (SPCE) current space plane, VSS Unity, which the company expects to replace with its “Delta class” of spaceships in 2026.

“Watching our pioneering spaceship Unity return from space on its final commercial flight was a breathtaking and proud moment,” said CEO Michael Colglazier.