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Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic launches into space tourism industry from Spaceport America in New Mexico

Eric Lagatta Nathan J. Fish
Aug. 11, 2025, 10:16 a.m. ET
Sir Richard Branson holds up photos that he brought with him into space July 11, 2021, as he speaks after flying aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel, a voyage he said he hoped would usher in an era of lucrative space tourism at Spaceport America, near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico.
Sir Richard Branson holds up photos that he brought with him into space July 11, 2021, as he speaks after flying aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel, a voyage he said he hoped would usher in an era of lucrative space tourism at Spaceport America, near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP Via Getty Images
The passenger rocket plane operated by Virgin Galactic lifts off June 29, 2023 during the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
The passenger rocket plane operated by Virgin Galactic lifts off June 29, 2023 during the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
People react as the passenger rocket plane operated by Virgin Galactic lifts off June 29, 2023 during the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
People react as the passenger rocket plane operated by Virgin Galactic lifts off June 29, 2023 during the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Crew members holding an Italian flag are displayed on a screen June 29, 2023, the day of Virgin Galactic's rocket plane first commercial flight to the edge of space.
Crew members holding an Italian flag are displayed on a screen June 29, 2023, the day of Virgin Galactic's rocket plane first commercial flight to the edge of space.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
The VSS Unity rocket operated by Virgin Galactic lands June 29, 2023 after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
The VSS Unity rocket operated by Virgin Galactic lands June 29, 2023 after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Members of the Italian Air Force and spectators observe Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to the edge of space June 29, 2023 at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Members of the Italian Air Force and spectators observe Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to the edge of space June 29, 2023 at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Col. Angelo Landolfi reacts as he and his crew members are congratulated on their return from Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to the edge of space.
Col. Angelo Landolfi reacts as he and his crew members are congratulated on their return from Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to the edge of space.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Crew members are congratulated as they return from Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to the edge of space at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Crew members are congratulated as they return from Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to the edge of space at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
VMS Eve, operated by Virgin Galactic, returns June 29, 2023 after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
VMS Eve, operated by Virgin Galactic, returns June 29, 2023 after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space, at the Spaceport America facility, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
People react as the VSS Unity rocket, operated by Virgin Galactic, returns June 29, 2023 after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space.
People react as the VSS Unity rocket, operated by Virgin Galactic, returns June 29, 2023 after the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
A Virgin Galactic craft sits at the entrance of Spaceport America on Thursday, July 8, 2021.
A Virgin Galactic craft sits at the entrance of Spaceport America on Thursday, July 8, 2021.
Nathan J Fish/Sun-News/ USA TODAY NETWORK
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is introduced as an astronaut by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, after flying July 11, 2021 with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is introduced as an astronaut by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, after flying July 11, 2021 with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference after flying July 11, 2021 with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space.
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference after flying July 11, 2021 with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space July 11, 2021 above Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space July 11, 2021 above Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
Col. Walter Villadei, Pantaleone Carlucci and Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi, crew from Italy, pose one day before the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space June 28, 2023 at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Col. Walter Villadei, Pantaleone Carlucci and Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi, crew from Italy, pose one day before the company's first commercial flight to the edge of space June 28, 2023 at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
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