# Virgin Galactic

> American spaceflight company

**Wikidata**: [Q373225](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q373225)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Galactic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/virgin-galactic

## Summary
Virgin Galactic is an American spaceflight company founded in 2004, specializing in space tourism and the development of suborbital spaceplanes. It is a subsidiary of the Virgin Group and operates under the brand Virgin, with Richard Branson as its founder. The company aims to provide commercial space travel experiences for paying customers, leveraging its SpaceShipTwo vehicles launched from White Knight Two aircraft.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2004 as a subsidiary of the Virgin Group.
- Operates under the Virgin brand, with Richard Branson as its founder.
- Specializes in space tourism and suborbital spaceflight.
- Owned by the Virgin Group and operated by The Spaceship Company.
- Primary vehicles include SpaceShipTwo (VSS Unity and VSS Enterprise) and White Knight Two.
- Key personnel include Richard Branson, Burt Rutan, and astronaut instructors like Beth Moses and Sirisha Bandla.
- Based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and the United States.
- Affiliated with aerospace engineering firms and commercial astronaut programs.
- Revenue: $238,000 (2023).
- Net profit: -$273,035,000 (2023).
- Total assets: $803,990,000 (2023).
- Website: [virgingalactic.com](https://www.virgingalactic.com/).

## FAQs
**What is Virgin Galactic's primary business?**
Virgin Galactic is a spaceflight company focused on commercial space tourism, offering suborbital flights to paying customers using its SpaceShipTwo vehicles.

**Who founded Virgin Galactic?**
Virgin Galactic was founded by Richard Branson as part of the Virgin Group in 2004.

**What vehicles does Virgin Galactic use?**
Virgin Galactic operates the SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane (VSS Unity and VSS Enterprise) and the White Knight Two carrier aircraft for launches.

**Where is Virgin Galactic headquartered?**
Virgin Galactic is headquartered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is based in the United States.

**What is the financial status of Virgin Galactic?**
As of 2023, Virgin Galactic reported revenue of $238,000, a net profit of -$273,035,000, and total assets of $803,990,000.

**Who are the key people involved in Virgin Galactic?**
Key personnel include Richard Branson (founder), Burt Rutan (aerospace engineer), and astronaut instructors Beth Moses and Sirisha Bandla.

**What is the relationship between Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company?**
The Spaceship Company is a subsidiary of Virgin Galactic, responsible for the design, manufacturing, and operation of Virgin Galactic's spacecraft.

**What is the significance of the VSS Enterprise crash in 2014?**
The 2014 crash of VSS Enterprise was a fatal incident that led to the redesign of SpaceShipTwo and the development of VSS Unity.

## Why It Matters
Virgin Galactic plays a pivotal role in the commercial space industry by pioneering space tourism, making suborbital travel accessible to private citizens. Its efforts have advanced aerospace engineering, inspired public interest in space exploration, and demonstrated the feasibility of reusable spaceplanes. The company's work has influenced the broader space economy, including satellite deployment and scientific research, while also driving innovation in rocket and spacecraft design. By offering commercial spaceflights, Virgin Galactic has the potential to reshape the future of travel and human spaceflight, potentially democratizing access to space for the first time.

## Notable For
- First commercial spaceflight company to achieve suborbital space travel (Unity 22, 2021).
- Development of the SpaceShipTwo spaceplane, a reusable suborbital vehicle.
- Partnership with The Spaceship Company for spacecraft manufacturing.
- Involvement in the Virgin Group, a global branded venture capital conglomerate.
- Use of White Knight Two as a carrier aircraft for SpaceShipTwo launches.
- Affiliation with aerospace engineers like Burt Rutan and astronaut instructors like Beth Moses.
- Financial reporting of $238,000 in revenue and -$273,035,000 in net profit (2023).
- Headquarters in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and operations in the United States.

## Body
### Overview
Virgin Galactic is an American spaceflight company founded in 2004 by Richard Branson as part of the Virgin Group. It specializes in commercial space tourism, offering suborbital flights to paying customers using its SpaceShipTwo vehicles. The company is headquartered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and operates under the Virgin brand, with a focus on reusable spaceplanes and air-launched rockets.

### History
Virgin Galactic was established in 2004 as a subsidiary of the Virgin Group, with Richard Branson as its founder. The company was created to develop commercial spaceflight technology, particularly for space tourism. Key milestones include the development of SpaceShipTwo, the first commercial spaceflight (Unity 22 in 2021), and the 2014 crash of VSS Enterprise, which led to redesigns and improvements in spacecraft safety.

### Operations
Virgin Galactic operates under the Virgin brand, with its primary vehicles being SpaceShipTwo (VSS Unity and VSS Enterprise) and White Knight Two. The Spaceship Company, a subsidiary, is responsible for the design, manufacturing, and operation of these spacecraft. The company is based in the United States, with headquarters in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

### Financials
As of 2023, Virgin Galactic reported revenue of $238,000, a net profit of -$273,035,000, and total assets of $803,990,000. These figures reflect the company's financial performance and investment in spaceflight technology.

### Key Personnel
Key personnel associated with Virgin Galactic include Richard Branson (founder), Burt Rutan (aerospace engineer), and astronaut instructors Beth Moses and Sirisha Bandla. These individuals have played significant roles in the company's development and operations.

### Affiliations
Virgin Galactic is affiliated with the Virgin Group, a British multinational branded venture capital conglomerate. It also works with The Spaceship Company, an aerospace manufacturing firm, and is involved in space tourism and commercial spaceflight initiatives.

### Notable Achievements
Virgin Galactic is notable for being the first commercial spaceflight company to achieve suborbital space travel (Unity 22 in 2021). The company has also developed the SpaceShipTwo spaceplane, a reusable suborbital vehicle, and partnered with The Spaceship Company for spacecraft manufacturing.

### Impact
Virgin Galactic's work has had a significant impact on the commercial space industry, advancing aerospace engineering and inspiring public interest in space exploration. The company's efforts have demonstrated the feasibility of reusable spaceplanes and influenced the broader space economy, including satellite deployment and scientific research.

### Future Plans
Virgin Galactic continues to develop its spaceflight capabilities, with plans for future missions and the potential to expand its commercial space tourism offerings. The company remains committed to innovation in rocket and spacecraft design, aiming to make space travel more accessible and sustainable.

## References

1. [Source](http://nbr.com/2019/10/28/virgin-galactic-shares-rise-as-the-space-tourism-company-begins-trading-under-the-ticker-spce/)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
5. [Virgin Galactic Holdings Earnings Press Release](https://s24.q4cdn.com/816362521/files/doc_financials/Quarterly/2020/q4/Virgin-Galactic-Q4-FY-2020-Earnings-Press-Release-2.25.21.pdf)
6. [Virgin Galactic Holdings (SPCE) Stock Key Data](https://www.forbes.com/companies/virgin-galactic-holdings)
7. [Virgin Galactic | Science | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/science/virgin-galactic)
8. Quora
9. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Virgin_Galactic-DBK8JV)
10. YouTube API
11. [VIRGIN GALACTIC latest news & coverage](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topic/virgin-galactic)