Virgin Galactic's First Delta-Class Space Plane, Apeiron, Reaches Spaceport America

Virgin Galactic’s first Delta-class space plane is named Apeiron, and the vehicle has been transported from the company’s manufacturing site in Mesa to Spaceport America. The reported transport date differs between the account’s text and its headline summary, so this report does not assign a specific date.

Key details

• Virgin Galactic plans to begin commercial service with Apeiron in spring 2027, after checks and testing.
• The planned flight profile has a carrier aircraft take Apeiron to about 45,000 feet before releasing it for a rocket-powered suborbital flight. The space plane is described as seating six passengers and two pilots.
• Virgin Galactic is reported to be targeting up to two flights per week for Delta-class vehicles, with a vehicle lifetime exceeding 500 missions.
• A second Delta-class space plane is under construction, with service expected in mid-2027.
• The account reports nearly 700 ticket holders awaiting flights. It also reports that a seat batch priced at $750,000 sold out, with the next batch planned at $850,000 per seat.

Virgin Galactic describes a customer flight in which a carrier aircraft would release Apeiron at about 45,000 feet for a rocket-powered suborbital flight.

Why it matters

Apeiron’s arrival at Spaceport America moves Virgin Galactic’s first Delta-class vehicle to the site where the company plans to prepare it for commercial service. The design’s stated flight-rate target would support more frequent operations than the company’s earlier space plane.

What happens next

Virgin Galactic plans to begin Apeiron’s commercial service in spring 2027, following checks and testing, while a second vehicle is expected to enter service in mid-2027. Which part of the Delta-class program will you be watching as those milestones approach?