Fly With Us

We are the world’s first commercial spaceline, and our purpose is to connect people across the globe to the love, wonder and awe created by space travel.

Welcome to Virgin Galactic

SPACE FOR THE CURIOUS

No matter where each of us stands on this planet we call home, we all look up to the same place. That’s why we believe space belongs to everyone: the adventurous, the audacious, and the curious.

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“Taking more and more passengers out into space will enable them, and us, to look both outward and back but with a fresh perspective in both directions.”

Professor Stephen Hawking ¬ Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist & Author

The spaceline for earth

We go up to look down.

When we witness the majesty and fragility of Earth from space, something inside us shifts. We believe this transformation will bring countless benefits to life on our beautiful planet.

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Sirisha Bandla

Virgin Galactic Astronaut 004

VP of Government Affairs & Research Ops

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Our Story

Watch how Virgin Galactic is defining the next generation of space travel.

VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACEFLIGHT

Experience weightlessness, breathtaking views of Earth, and a life-changing transformation through our unique and innovative spaceflight system, all in unparalleled comfort.

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Passengers 4
Min Spaceflight 90
MPH Max Speed 2.6K
Gravity 0
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TAKE OFF & AIR-LAUNCH

Your 90-minute journey begins with a smooth runway take-off, as our spaceship, attached to the mothership, ascends towards the skies. Our spaceflight system utilizes an air-launch, meaning your journey to release altitude is calm and enjoyable.

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Release & boost

After climbing to the release altitude of approximately 50,000 feet, you’ll hear the pilots call, “3,2,1, release” as the spaceship is freed from the mothership.

After a few short moments the rocket motor will ignite, and you will propel toward the stars, quickly reaching exhilarating speeds of up to three and a half times the speed of sound. Outside, you’ll see the color out the window change from blue, through indigo and into an inky black.

Listen to the spaceship release

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Welcome to SPACE

After approximately 60 seconds, the pilots will shut down the rocket signaling your arrival in space. At this point you’ll gently unbuckle and float effortlessly out of your seat in micro-gravity. The cabin is designed for your enjoyment, including 17 windows for the breathtaking views of Earth.

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Beth Moses

Virgin Galactic Astronaut 002

Chief Astronaut Instructor

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Feather Technology

Meanwhile, the vehicle is preparing for re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, where it utilizes our spaceflight system’s greatest innovation – feather technology. In space, the spaceship folds in half, with the wings moving upward as our pilots put the vehicle into an elegant backflip that points the windows straight back toward Earth, offering our astronauts astounding and unobstructed views.

This maneuver allows the vehicle to behave like a capsule on re-entry, spreading the friction heat across the underside of the spaceship and aerodynamically enabling it to reorientate itself. Once you’re back into the thickest parts of the Earth’s atmosphere, the wings come back down, allowing the vehicle to glide safely and smoothly back home, to the same runway you took off from.

“Virgin Galactic’s feather technology combines the advantages of capsule designed spacecraft and winged space vehicles into one, elegant system.”

Mike Moses ¬ Virgin Galactic President
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Welcome Home, Astronaut

Our exclusive automotive partner, Land Rover, provides world-class assistance across our entire experience by towing the spaceship and transporting our astronauts. As a Virgin Galactic astronaut, you will have the opportunity to purchase a unique, ‘Astronaut Edition’ Range Rover.

Land Rover & Unity

You’ll be greeted by your family, friends, and your very own Virgin Galactic Astronaut Wings ceremony. These wings are a symbol of your pioneering spirit and the beginning of your journey back on Earth. Then, you’ll continue on with our community of Virgin Galactic Astronauts and Future Astronauts. As part of this group, you’ll have exclusive access to amazing experiences, but more importantly, you will have the opportunity to inspire others through your journey.

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Richard Champagne

Your Astronaut Journey

We invite you into a new paradigm of astronaut experience, where your spaceflight is just the beginning.

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A COMMUNITY CONNECTED, A VISION SHARED

When you secure your reservation to space, you gain access to our Future Astronaut community. You’ll be connected to more than 700 pioneers from around the world who share a love of adventure and a passion for positive change. Prepare for your journey together with our program of incredible events and experiences.

GATEWAY TO SPACE AT SPACEPORT AMERICA

Welcome to New Mexico, the home of Gateway to Space at Spaceport America. Our state-of-the-art facility is the first-of-its-kind in the world, and offers the perfect backdrop for you to connect with our home planet prior to your flight.

Astronaut training

Our fully-immersive training program will get your mind and body prepared for your spaceflight, so you can savor every single moment of the experience.

You and your fellow astronauts will be integrated into pilot briefings, trained by our world-class spaceflight experts, fitted for your bespoke Under Armour spacesuit and boots, and more.

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Your Under Armour spacewear system is designed for ultimate comfort and mauverability during weightlessness.

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THE OVERVIEW EFFECT & BEYOND

How will you push the pace of change toward a better, brighter future for humanity?

Sirisha

A COGNITIVE TRANSFORMATION

Viewing our beautiful planet from space provides an indescribable, euphoric experience. Many astronauts talk about the "Overview Effect,” a cognitive transformation that inspires a complete shift in your worldview and your place within it.

THE FUTURE OF SPACE TRAVEL HAS ARRIVED

Very few people have ever been to space, until now…

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SECURE YOUR SPACE

Are you ready to secure your space in line as one of the first Virgin Galactic astronauts? Sign up to receive exclusive access to ticket sales coming early 2022.
Fly With Us
GEORGE WHITESIDES

GEORGE WHITESIDES

SPACE ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

George T. Whitesides is the Chair of the Space Advisory Board, where he is responsible for bringing together aerospace leaders to advise the Virgin Galactic senior management team on the journey towards regular commercial spaceflight, developing the next generation vehicles and exploring new opportunities. Previously, George served as the Chief Space Officer of Virgin Galactic, spearheading the development of future technologies, including high speed, point-to-point travel and orbital flight, after stepping down as CEO in 2020.

George joined Virgin Galactic in 2010 as Chief Executive Officer. During George’s 10 years with the Company, he built the company from 30 people to a workforce of over 900, successfully guiding Virgin Galactic through its human space flight R&D and flight test program, culminating in two space flights. These historic flights saw the first humans launched into space from US soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle, as well as the first woman to fly on a commercial space vehicle. George led the transition of operations from Mojave, California to Spaceport America, New Mexico, and oversaw the company’s successful public listing making it a multi-billion dollar company and creating the world’s first publicly traded human spaceflight venture.

Prior to Virgin Galactic, George served as Chief of Staff for NASA. Upon departure from the American space agency, he received the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award the agency confers.

George’s volunteer service includes Caltech’s Space Innovation Council, Princeton University’s Advisory Council for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise. He is a fellow of the UK Royal Aeronautical Society and an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

He previously served as Vice Chair of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, chair of the Reusable Launch Vehicle Working Group for the FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of Virgin Galactic, a member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton University, co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space Technologies, and the Board of Virgin Unite USA. George has testified on American space policy before the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the President’s Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy. An honors graduate of Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, George later earned a master’s degree in geographic information systems and remote sensing from the University of Cambridge, and a Fulbright Scholarship to Tunisia. George is a licensed private pilot and certified parabolic flight coach.

He resides in California with his wife Loretta and two children.

CHRIS HADFIELD

CHRIS HADFIELD

SPACE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Colonel Chris Hadfield is a heavily decorated astronaut, engineer, and test pilot who has commanded the International Space Station. Formerly NASA’s Director of Operations in Russia and veteran of three spaceflights, Hadfield’s many awards include the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Cross and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. Hadfield is a three-time NYT bestselling author, a renowned musician, an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo, chair of the board of the Open Lunar Foundation, and host of several internationally acclaimed television series. In addition, Hadfield leads the space stream at the Creative Destruction Lab, one of the world’s top tech incubators.

DR SANDRA MAGNUS

DR SANDRA MAGNUS

SPACE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Sandra H. “Sandy” Magnus is the Principal at AstroPlanetview, LLC. Most recently she served as the Deputy Director of Engineering in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the Undersecretary of Research and Engineering. In that role she served as the “Chief Engineer” for the Department of Defense establishing engineering policy, propagating best practices and working to connect the engineering community across the department.

Dr. Magnus is the former Executive Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Prior to leading AIAA, she was a member of the NASA Astronaut Corps for 16 years. During her time at NASA she flew in space on the STS-112 shuttle mission in 2002, and on the final shuttle flight, STS-135, in 2011. In addition, she flew to the International Space Station on STS-126 in November 2008, served as flight engineer and science officer on Expedition 18, and returned home on STS-119 after four and a half months on board.

Following her assignment on Station, she served at NASA Headquarters in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Her last duty at NASA, after STS-135, was as the deputy chief of the Astronaut Office.

While at NASA, Dr. Magnus worked extensively with the international community, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), as well as with Brazil on facility-type payloads. She also spent time in Russia developing and integrating operational products and procedures for the International Space Station.

Before joining NASA, Dr. Magnus worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company as a stealth engineer. While at McDonnell Douglas, she worked on internal R&D and on the Navy’s A-12 Attack Aircraft program.

Dr. Magnus has received numerous awards, including the NASA Space Flight Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the 40 at 40 Award (given to former collegiate women athletes to recognize the impact of Title IX).

DAVID A. WHELAN

DAVID A. WHELAN

SPACE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Dr. David A. Whelan is the SVP Chief-Scientist of Cubic Corporation. Dr. Whelan retired from Boeing in 2017, as the Vice President, Engineering (BDS) and Board of Directors for HRL Laboratories. Whelan served as Director of the Tactical Technology Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and began his career at Northrop as designer of the B-2 Stealth Bomber. Whelan is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Physical Society and IEEE. He earned his Ph.D. Physics from UCLA; He holds over 75 US patents.

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