Virgin Galactic Unveils VSS Imagine: Next-Gen Spaceship

Virgin Galactic Unveils Spaceship III: A New Era of Space Travel

Virgin Galactic, a pioneering commercial human spaceflight company, has introduced the Spaceship III, representing the third significant advancement in its spacecraft engineering. The inaugural vessel in this series, named “VSS (Virgin SpaceShip) Imagine,” is currently undergoing ground testing, with glide flight tests anticipated to commence this summer.

Enhanced Design and Scalability

VSS Imagine showcases a striking new exterior, featuring a mirrored wraparound finish designed to dynamically reflect its surroundings during ascent and descent. More crucially, this new design brings Virgin Galactic closer to its objective of establishing the engineering capabilities needed for large-scale spacecraft production.

CEO Insights on Production and Turnaround

In a recent discussion, Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier explained, “We can build these at a faster pace.” He further elaborated that while still slower than future iterations, Spaceship III incorporates learnings from VSS Unity to accelerate ship turnaround times. The speed of flight operations is directly proportional to the number of spacecraft available and their maintenance efficiency.

Modular Design for Increased Flight Rate

Unlike its predecessor, Unity – the spacecraft first flown in September 2016 and currently used for testing and launch preparation in New Mexico – Imagine boasts a modular design. This facilitates easier maintenance and a higher frequency of subsequent missions.

Colglazier acknowledged that further development is needed to reach the company’s goal of approximately 400 flights annually per spaceport. However, this upgrade is substantial, and manufacturing has already begun on a second Spaceship III vehicle, “VSS Inspire.”

Branding and the Consumer Experience

Colglazier, who joined Virgin Galactic from Disney Parks International in July 2020, emphasized the importance of this spacecraft debut for the company’s consumer brand. The visual presentation and marketing materials represent a deliberate step in establishing a strong consumer identity.

“We’ve used these lofty words of ‘democratizing space’ – but space is meant for everyone,” he stated. “It may take a while for everyone to get there, but it’s coming.”

Focus on Commercial Development

Over the past eight months, Colglazier has concentrated on bolstering the commercial aspects of the business. He noted that Virgin Galactic possessed a “world-class team” with strong aerospace expertise, and his role has been to build out the commercial infrastructure to match.

New Leadership and Expertise

The company has been strategically adding talent to scale the business. Swami Iyer recently joined as president of Aerospace Systems, bringing extensive experience from the commercial space and defense sectors. Joe Rohde, a veteran Disney Imagineer, has been appointed as the first “Experience Architect,” focusing on crafting the Virgin Galactic experience for astronauts, their families, and the public.

Global Experience Customization

Colglazier envisions a differentiated experience based on the spaceport location. Flights from Europe, Asia, India, or Australia should offer a “dramatically different” experience, even while utilizing the same spacecraft as those in New Mexico.

Inclusion and Accessibility

Virgin Galactic’s core philosophy centers on inclusion, even if space travel remains inaccessible to most in the near term. The company aims to create multiple layers of engagement, allowing broader access to the brand and its offerings.

“This is for everyone, it has to be for everyone,” Colglazier affirmed. The company will prioritize offering tiered experiences and ensuring brand accessibility to a wide audience.

Looking Ahead

With 600 passengers already booked and awaiting their flights, Virgin Galactic’s immediate focus is on preparing for Richard Branson’s flight later this year.

CEO's Flight Plans

Finally, Colglazier jokingly stated his intention to be among the first to fly, but only after all paying customers have had their turn. “Okay, there are 600 or so people that are going to be a little ticked at me if I jumped the line,” he said. “But nobody else is in line yet, so I’m gonna get in before anybody else comes in line.”

Image Credits: Virgin Galactic