Virgin Galactic Completes First Private Astronaut Spaceflight ‘Galactic 02’

Rhea-AI Summary

Virgin Galactic completes its first private astronaut flight, 'Galactic 02,' achieving multiple historic milestones including the first female astronauts from the Caribbean, the first mother-daughter duo in space, and the most women flown in a single space mission. The flight also set records for the youngest person, the first Olympian, and the first majority female spaceflight. 'Galactic 02' reached an altitude of 55 miles and a top speed of Mach 3.

Third Successful Spaceflight in Just Over Three Months

Historic Mission Flew First Olympian, First Female Astronauts from Caribbean and Most Women Flown in a Single Mission to Space

‘Galactic 03,’ the Company’s Third Commercial Spaceflight, Planned for September

Tune Back in For the Press Conference at 12PM Mountain Time

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“Virgin Galactic” or the “Company,”) today announced the completion of its first private astronaut flight, ‘Galactic 02.’ The mission achieved multiple historic milestones, showcasing how Virgin Galactic spaceflights are broadening access to space for a diverse, global community of astronauts.

Flying private astronauts Jon Goodwin from the United Kingdom, and Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers from Antigua and Barbuda, ‘Galactic 02’ achieved the following¹:

• First female astronauts from the Caribbean
• First mother-daughter duo to go to space
• Most women flown in a single space mission
• Youngest person to go to space
• First Olympian to go to space
• First majority female spaceflight
• The sixth and seventh Black women to go to space
• Second person with Parkinson’s to go to space
• Third oldest person to go to space

‘Galactic 02’ in-flight facts are as follows:

• Take-off Time 8:30am MDT
• Altitude at Release 44,300 feet
• Apogee 55 miles
• Top Speed Mach 3
• Landing Time 9:30am MDT

MICHAEL COLGLAZIER, CEO of Virgin Galactic said: “Today Virgin Galactic took another historic leap forward by flying our first private astronaut mission and demonstrating how our spaceflights will broaden access to space. Jon, Keisha and Ana each embody our fundamental belief that space is for everyone, and we are proud that today’s flight has inspired people and communities around the world. This is just the beginning, as we plan to continue flying monthly spaceflights while also developing our Delta Class production spaceships to scale our business.”

CJ STURCKOW, VSS Unity Commander said: “It is a surreal and humbling experience to have flown Unity today. The wonder and excitement of spaceflight never loses its magic. I had the honor of being joined in the cockpit by Kelly Latimer, one of the first female commercial spaceship pilots. I’m proud of the work we’re doing here at Virgin Galactic to fly more people to space.”

KELLY LATIMER, VSS Unity Pilot said: “In my entire career, from the Air Force Academy to being a test pilot for NASA, nothing tops what I have just experienced at the controls of VSS Unity. Going to space today fulfilled an ambition I’ve had since I was a child. It is a privilege to be part of a majority-women crew making history as the most female astronauts flying to space in a single mission.”

The company will now proceed with post-flight inspections and analysis in preparation for the next commercial space mission, ‘Galactic 03,’ which is planned for September in a continuation of Virgin Galactic’s monthly flight cadence.

Virgin Galactic will host a live post-flight press conference at approximately 12pm MDT. This can be viewed on Virgin Galactic’s YouTube channel.

Press materials clear for you use can be accessed via the newly launched Virgin Galactic Newsroom including:

• New ‘Galactic 02’ b-roll and photos uploaded throughout the day
• ‘Galactic 02’ crew bios and profile shot
• Pilot bios
• Full catalog of hi-res imagery and b-roll from all flights

[1] According to our research as of the day of the flight

About Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. It has developed a spaceflight system designed to connect the world to the love, wonder and awe created by space travel and to offer customers a transformative experience. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our spaceflight systems, expected flight schedule, and repeatable and reliable access to space are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.virgingalactic.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230810851048/en/

For media inquiries:

Aleanna Crane - Vice President, Communications

news@virgingalactic.com

Jeff Michael - Communications

news@virgingalactic.com

661.754.4300

For investor inquiries:

Eric Cerny - Vice President, Investor Relations

vg-ir@virgingalactic.com

949.774.7637

Source: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What is the name of the company mentioned in the press release?

The company mentioned in the press release is Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE).

What were the historic milestones achieved by 'Galactic 02'?

'Galactic 02' achieved several historic milestones, including the first female astronauts from the Caribbean, the first mother-daughter duo in space, and the most women flown in a single space mission.

What records were set during 'Galactic 02'?

'Galactic 02' set records for the youngest person to go to space, the first Olympian to go to space, and the first majority female spaceflight.

What were the in-flight facts of 'Galactic 02'?

'Galactic 02' took off at 8:30am MDT, reached an altitude of 55 miles, achieved a top speed of Mach 3, and landed at 9:30am MDT.

What is the next commercial space mission planned by Virgin Galactic?

The next commercial space mission, 'Galactic 03,' is planned for September.