Erstwhile Spaceline Reopening Sales, With Prices Beginning at $450,000 Per Seat

The folks at Virgin Galactic are feeling their oats and pretty much believing all the hype created by the flight that carried their Boss, Richard Branson, to space.

In a 2Q/21 legal filing, the company notes that they lost nearly 95 million dollars (more than 20 million more than the same period a year previoiusly) but put a pretty positive spin on the rest of the report.

“In the second quarter, we made meaningful progress towards commencing commercial service in 2022. We successfully completed two spaceflights from New Mexico — the latest carrying a full crew of mission specialists in the cabin and garnering an extraordinary global media and consumer response. In addition, we received FAA approval to expand our existing launch license, marking the first time the FAA has licensed a Spaceline to fly customers to space,” said Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic.

“Leveraging the surge in consumer interest following the Unity 22 flight, we are excited to announce the reopening of sales effective today, beginning with our Spacefarer community. As we endeavor to bring the wonder of space to a broad global population, we are delighted to open the door to an entirely new industry and consumer experience.”

At this point, though, total retention of existing Future Astronaut reservations has remained steady at approximately 600, as of June 30, 2021 -- though there has been sparse growth in the number in the most recent period. Further; VG has announced plans to reopen sales effective immediately -- For the private astronaut market, the Company will have three consumer offerings: i) a single seat; ii) a multi-seat couples/friends/family package; and iii) full-flight buy out. Pricing for these offers will begin at $450,000 per seat. Sales will initially open to the Company's significant list of early hand-raisers, prioritizing the Spacefarer Community, who, as promised, will be given first opportunity to reserve their place in space. A follow-on priority list will be opened to customers interested in reserving future spaceflights.

They also announced that the next rocket-powered spaceflight, Unity 23, is targeted to occur in late-September from Spaceport America in New Mexico. This flight will be a revenue-generating flight with the Italian Air Force -- which is a different program than had been previously announced, which would have seen their former CEO, George Whitesides, on board for the duration.

FMI: www.virgingalactic.com