As the company prepares to resume commercial space tourism in 2027, Virgin Galactic's new spaceship is set to fly twice a week and will be capable of completing more than 500 missions

Virgin Galactic has unveiled Apeiron, the first spacecraft in its next-generation fleet, marking a significant step towards the resumption of commercial space tourism flights in 2027.

The spacecraft was revealed on October 28, 2026, at the company's manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona, before being transported by air to Spaceport America in New Mexico, where it will undergo final preparations and flight testing.

Apeiron was carried beneath Virgin Galactic's mothership, Eve, departing Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport at 10.29am and arriving at Spaceport America at 12.59pm local time. The flight was operated by pilot in command Michael Masucci and pilot Dan Alix, with flight test engineer Tori Crichton also on board Eve.

The name Apeiron, derived from the ancient Greek word for "boundless", was selected through a public vote involving participants from more than 80 countries. The shortlist was developed by Virgin Galactic employees and members of its astronaut community.

Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic, says: "This morning, we gave Apeiron a name. This afternoon, Apeiron came home." He adds: "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."

The arrival marks an important milestone in Virgin Galactic's plans to establish a more frequent and commercially sustainable space tourism operation. Unlike its earlier spacecraft, Apeiron has been designed to operate up to twice a week, with an expected lifespan of more than 500 missions.

The increased flight frequency is intended to reduce operating costs and enable Virgin Galactic to accommodate more paying passengers as demand for commercial space travel develops.

The company is now preparing to complete avionics software integration and validation, alongside a programme of flight tests. Subject to successful testing, Virgin Galactic expects to begin carrying paying passengers aboard Apeiron in early Q2 2027, potentially as soon as April.

A second spacecraft is already under construction at the company's Arizona factory, alongside a static test vehicle used to evaluate components and systems on the ground. Virgin Galactic is also preparing its rocket motor assembly line to support the expansion of its fleet.

The second spaceship is expected to enter commercial service in late Q2 or early Q3 2027, potentially allowing the company to increase its flight frequency further. The development represents Virgin Galactic's latest effort to move beyond occasional commercial spaceflights towards a more regular operating schedule.

By introducing spacecraft designed for hundreds of missions and faster turnaround times, the company hopes to establish a more scalable business model for suborbital space tourism. However, the proposed launch dates remain dependent on the successful completion of flight testing and operational preparations.