Virgin Galactic is one step closer to flying customers to space.
The company reported on June 25 that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) partially cleared the runway for it to start commercial operations. The update represents the first time the FAA has licensed a "spaceline" to fly customers, according to the company. Virgin Galactic recently completed its first spaceflight from Spaceport America, where its human spaceflight operations are based.
"The [test] flight performed flawlessly, and the results demonstrate the safety and elegance of our flight system. Today’s approval by the FAA of our full commercial launch license, in conjunction with the success of our May 22 test flight, give us confidence as we proceed toward our first fully crewed test flight this summer," said Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier in a statement.
The flight above the New Mexico desert followed an attempt in December that was cut short when electromagnetic interference caused a rocket motor controller to reboot. Virgin Galactic then found additional electromagnetic interference impacts during preflight preparations for a February flight, according to its fourth quarter and full year 2020 investor update.
Virgin Galactic plans to conduct three additional test flights before commercial service begins.
In the company's most recent annual report, it said it believed a "significant market opportunity exists to provide high net worth individuals with a dynamic spaceflight experience" with about 600 reservations and more than $80 million of deposits booked as of the end of 2020. The company's operations stand front and center as part of New Mexico's efforts to grow the aerospace industry, which includes companies working on satellite, spaceflight and other types of technologies.
Virgin Galactic is also integral to the Spaceport, serving as its main tenant. The Spaceport cost $218.5 million to construct, including $142.1 million allocated by the state and $76.4 million generated by local gross receipt taxes, according to the Spaceport's website.
The company hopes to begin commercial service in 2022, according to reporting from CNBC.
