TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. – Virgin Galactic flew its next-generation Spaceship Apeiron to Spaceport America, where it will prepare for flight tests. The company said commercial trips will start in the second quarter of 2027.
Virgin Galactic announced Oct. 28 that Apeiron arrived at its New Mexico operations base after the company revealed the spacecraft earlier that day at its factory in Mesa, Arizona.
“Apeiron,” ancient Greek for “boundless,” was selected in a public vote from a shortlist developed by Virgin Galactic teammates and members of its astronaut community. The company said people from more than 80 countries took part.
“Seeing the ship fly beneath Eve to Spaceport America was a moment years in the making. To our team and our astronaut community: your Spaceship has arrived,” said Michael Colglazier.
Virgin Galactic said its engineering team plans to complete avionics software integration and validation while preparing for flight tests at Spaceport America.
The company said it expects to begin flying customers aboard Apeiron after the test program ends successfully.
Virgin Galactic said Apeiron is the lead spacecraft in its next-generation fleet and was produced with major aerospace suppliers. The company said the spacecraft is designed to fly twice per week and has a lifetime of more than 500 missions.
The company said the second spacecraft is expected to begin commercial operations late next year.
Virgin Galactic’s last spaceflight at Spaceport America was in 2024. Flights were originally scheduled to resume this year.
