Space Tourism — 2026-11-02
Virgin Galactic has officially unveiled its new Delta-class spaceplane, "Apeiron," marking a critical step toward restarting commercial suborbital flights in 2027. With tickets priced at $750,000 for a 90-minute trip, the company aims to revive the sector after a long hiatus. Meanwhile, Blue Origin remains grounded on tourist flights as it prioritizes lunar missions, leaving Virgin Galactic as the primary near-term option for space tourists.
Space Tourism — 2026-11-02
Flight Updates
The space tourism industry saw a major development this week as Virgin Galactic moved its first six-passenger Delta-class ship, named "Apeiron," from Arizona to Spaceport America in New Mexico. This move signals the company's intent to restart commercial operations after retiring its previous vehicle in 2024. The spaceplane was transported by the carrier aircraft VMS Eve and will undergo months of testing on avionics and flight software before its first flight.
In contrast to Virgin Galactic's progress, Blue Origin has paused its New Shepard tourist flights for at least two years. The company is focusing on its lunar ambitions and New Glenn launches, leaving prospective passengers without a confirmed return date or ticket price. This pause creates an opening for Virgin Galactic to capture the market when it returns to flight.
Passenger Story
No recent passenger accounts were published within the last seven days. Current information relies on historical data indicating that suborbital flights typically last about 90 minutes from take-off to landing, offering four to six minutes of zero gravity. Travelers often describe the sensation of weightlessness as a profound shift, where gravity becomes a noticeable presence only after the experience ends. However, with both major suborbital operators currently paused between vehicles, no new civilian flights have occurred since June 2024.
What to Watch
Virgin Galactic has set ticket prices at $750,000 for a 90-minute trip to space, targeting a comeback between April and June 2027. The company hopes to revive interest in the sector after nearly two years without any space tourism flights. Engineers and technicians at Spaceport America will complete work on Apeiron’s avionics equipment and flight software before any test flights begin.
Axiom Space remains the only operator currently selling seats for orbital flights, while suborbital options remain limited to future Virgin Galactic bookings. The industry awaits confirmation of Apeiron's first test flight schedule, which will determine if the 2027 timeline holds.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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