Virgin Galactic said Thursday that commercial flights are on hold until about a year from now as it shifts its focus toward improvements to its VSS Unity spaceplane.
The change in focus will also move the timeline for Virgin Galactic's next test flight — dubbed Unity 23 — further back. The planned research test flight with the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council had been expected to take place this month.
It's the latest instance of the space tourism company having to bump a highly-anticipated launch date.
Instead, the company will begin a planned enhancement and modification program for its VSS Unity spaceplane, according to a news release. The enhancement and modification program is meant to improve performance and flight capabilities, the news release said. By increasing the margin of safety for the vehicles, and the physical forces they can withstand, Virgin Galactic contends the program will improve reliability and durability while reducing maintenance.
“Our decisions are driven by detailed and thorough analysis, and we fly based on the most accurate and comprehensive data available. Virgin Galactic vehicles are designed with significant margins for safety, providing layers of protection that far exceed loads experienced and expected to occur on our flights,'' CEO Michael Colglazier said in a statement.
The enhancement period is beginning about one month later than anticipated, the company said. After its completed, Virgin Galactic will complete testing for the Unity and Eve vehicles, which includes a planned flight with the Italian Air Force.
Shares of Virgin Galactic stock on Friday closed at $20 a share, nearly 17% less than Thursday's close. Since July 8, shares of Virgin Galactic have dropped by more than 60%.
The most recent delay is unrelated to an inquiry into a potential defect in a component from a supplier that Virgin Galactic announced in September. The component in question was not on the Eve or Unity vehicles, according to the release. Furthermore, "inspection and scans" found the components to meet quality and safety standards, the release says.
Thursday's announcement comes just over two weeks since the conclusion of a Federal Aviation Administration investigation that allowed Virgin Galactic to resume flight operations. The investigation began in early September after the company's SpaceShipTwo vehicle deviated from its assigned airspace on its descent from space during its July test flight with billionaire founder Richard Branson.
As part of the investigation, Virgin Galactic was required to implement changes on how it communicates to the FAA during flight operations.
— Albuquerque Business First managing editor Chris Keller contributed reporting to this article.
