Virgin Galactic Partners with Redwire to Advance Research Capabilities for New Delta Spaceships
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) has partnered with Redwire (NYSE: RDW) to manufacture research payload lockers for Virgin Galactic's new Delta-Class spaceships. The collaboration aims to enhance microgravity research capabilities with state-of-the-art 'plug-and-play' lockers that provide real-time data during spaceflight.
Redwire, experienced in developing biotech and industrial-manufacturing technologies for microgravity environments, has created 20 research facilities for crewed spacecraft, with 10 currently on the International Space Station. Each Delta-Class spaceship will accommodate five payload racks, hosting up to 20 lockers total, supporting both autonomous and human-tended research.
The first Delta-Class spaceships are scheduled to begin commercial service in 2026. Virgin Galactic has already conducted seven research missions, featuring experiments in biology, autonomous systems, medical devices, combustion studies, and physical sciences.
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) ha collaborato con Redwire (NYSE: RDW) per la produzione di armadi per carichi di ricerca per i nuovi veicoli spaziali della classe Delta di Virgin Galactic. Questa collaborazione mira a migliorare le capacità di ricerca in microgravità con armadi 'plug-and-play' all'avanguardia che forniscono dati in tempo reale durante il volo spaziale.
Redwire, esperta nello sviluppo di tecnologie biotecnologiche e di produzione industriale per ambienti in microgravità, ha creato 20 strutture di ricerca per veicoli spaziali con equipaggio, di cui 10 sono attualmente presenti sulla Stazione Spaziale Internazionale. Ogni veicolo spaziale di classe Delta sarà dotato di cinque rack per carichi, ospitando fino a un totale di 20 armadi, supportando sia la ricerca autonoma che quella gestita da esseri umani.
I primi veicoli spaziali di classe Delta sono programmati per iniziare il servizio commerciale nel 2026. Virgin Galactic ha già effettuato sette missioni di ricerca, con esperimenti in biologia, sistemi autonomi, dispositivi medici, studi di combustione e scienze fisiche.
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) se ha asociado con Redwire (NYSE: RDW) para fabricar lockers de carga de investigación para las nuevas naves espaciales de clase Delta de Virgin Galactic. La colaboración tiene como objetivo mejorar las capacidades de investigación en microgravedad con lockers 'plug-and-play' de última generación que proporcionan datos en tiempo real durante el vuelo espacial.
Redwire, con experiencia en el desarrollo de tecnologías biotecnológicas y de fabricación industrial para entornos de microgravedad, ha creado 20 instalaciones de investigación para naves espaciales tripuladas, de las cuales 10 están actualmente en la Estación Espacial Internacional. Cada nave espacial de clase Delta acomodará cinco estantes de carga, albergando hasta un total de 20 lockers, apoyando tanto investigaciones autónomas como aquellas gestionadas por humanos.
Las primeras naves espaciales de clase Delta están programadas para comenzar el servicio comercial en 2026. Virgin Galactic ya ha realizado siete misiones de investigación, con experimentos en biología, sistemas autónomos, dispositivos médicos, estudios de combustión y ciencias físicas.
버진 갤럭틱(NYSE: SPCE)가 레드와이어(NYSE: RDW)와 협력하여 버진 갤럭틱의 새로운 델타 클래스 우주선용 연구 페이로드 수납 공간을 제조하고 있습니다. 이번 협력의 목적은 최첨단 ‘플러그 앤 플레이’ 수납 공간을 통해 우주 비행 중 실시간 데이터를 제공하여 미세 중력 연구 능력을 향상시키는 것입니다.
레드와이어는 미세 중력 환경에서의 생명공학 및 산업 제조 기술 개발에 경험이 있으며, 유인 우주선을 위한 20개의 연구 시설을 만들었으며, 그 중 10개는 현재 국제우주정거장에 있습니다. 각 델타 클래스 우주선은 다섯 개의 페이로드 랙을 수용할 수 있으며, 최대 20개의 수납 공간을 지원하여 자율 연구와 인간이 관리하는 연구 모두를 지원합니다.
첫 번째 델타 클래스 우주선은 2026년에 상업 서비스를 시작할 예정입니다. 버진 갤럭틱은 이미 생물학, 자율 시스템, 의료 장치, 연소 연구 및 물리 과학을 포함한 실험을 통한 7개의 연구 임무를 수행했습니다.
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) s'est associé à Redwire (NYSE: RDW) pour fabriquer des casiers de charge de recherche pour les nouveaux vaisseaux spatiaux Delta-Class de Virgin Galactic. Cette collaboration vise à améliorer les capacités de recherche en microgravité grâce à des casiers 'plug-and-play' à la pointe de la technologie, fournissant des données en temps réel pendant le vol spatial.
Redwire, spécialiste du développement de technologies biotechnologiques et de fabrication industrielle pour les environnements de microgravité, a créé 20 installations de recherche pour vaisseaux spatiaux habités, dont 10 sont actuellement sur la Station Spatiale Internationale. Chaque vaisseau spatial de classe Delta pourra accueillir cinq racks de charge, hébergeant jusqu'à 20 casiers au total, soutenant à la fois la recherche autonome et celle gérée par des humains.
Les premiers vaisseaux spatiaux de classe Delta devraient commencer leurs services commerciaux en 2026. Virgin Galactic a déjà mené sept missions de recherche, avec des expériences en biologie, systèmes autonomes, dispositifs médicaux, études de combustion et sciences physiques.
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) hat sich mit Redwire (NYSE: RDW) zusammengeschlossen, um Forschungs-Locker für die neuen Delta-Class-Raumfahrzeuge von Virgin Galactic herzustellen. Die Zusammenarbeit zielt darauf ab, die Mikroweiteforschungskapazitäten mit hochmodernen 'Plug-and-Play'-Fächern zu verbessern, die während des Raumflugs Echtzeitdaten bereitstellen.
Redwire hat Erfahrung in der Entwicklung von Biotechnologie- und industriellen Fertigungstechnologien für Mikroweiteumgebungen und hat 20 Forschungseinrichtungen für bemannte Raumfahrzeuge geschaffen, von denen sich 10 derzeit auf der Internationalen Raumstation befinden. Jedes Delta-Class-Raumfahrzeug wird fünf Payload-Racks beherbergen, die insgesamt bis zu 20 Fächer aufnehmen können und sowohl autonome als auch von Menschen betreute Forschung unterstützen.
Die ersten Delta-Class-Raumfahrzeuge sollen 2026 den kommerziellen Betrieb aufnehmen. Virgin Galactic hat bereits sieben Forschungsmissionen durchgeführt, darunter Experimente in Biologie, autonomen Systemen, medizinischen Geräten, Verbrennungsstudien und physikalischen Wissenschaften.
- Partnership with established space infrastructure company Redwire enhances research capabilities
- New platform enables transition of experiments to ISS at lower cost and risk
- Delta-Class spaceships will accommodate up to 20 research lockers per vehicle
- Real-time data collection capability during spaceflight
- Commercial service for Delta-Class spaceships not starting until 2026
Insights
This strategic partnership marks a pivotal expansion of Virgin Galactic's commercial capabilities, positioning SPCE to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing space research market. The collaboration with Redwire, which has 10 active research facilities on the ISS, significantly enhances SPCE's research infrastructure and credibility.
The new research platform offers three key competitive advantages: 1) Compatibility with orbital mission standards, enabling a seamless transition path from suborbital to orbital research 2) Real-time data collection capabilities that enhance research value proposition 3) 'Plug-and-play' functionality that reduces operational complexity and costs for clients.
The market implications are substantial: The global space research market is projected to grow significantly, driven by increasing commercial and government demand for microgravity research in pharmaceuticals, materials science and biotechnology. SPCE's enhanced research capabilities could accelerate contract acquisition from both private sector clients and government agencies.
However, investors should note several critical factors:
- Revenue impact won't materialize until 2026 when Delta-class ships enter service
- Initial capital investment and operating costs for the research platform need to be considered
- Competition from other providers in the suborbital research market could intensify
The diverse research portfolio already demonstrated on SPCE flights - from biological experiments to medical device testing - validates the market demand. The enhanced capabilities could attract higher-value research contracts, particularly in pharmaceutical and materials research where extended microgravity exposure is crucial.
Global Leader in Space Manufacturing Begins Building Next-Generation Research Lockers to Grow the Suborbital-to-Orbital Research Market
Redwire is a global space infrastructure and innovation company with decades of experience in developing biotech and industrial-manufacturing technologies to operate in microgravity. The company has developed 20 research facilities for crewed spacecraft, with 10 currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), supporting world-leading research and manufacturing missions.
Sirisha Bandla, Virgin Galactic’s Vice President of Research Operations, said: “Our new state-of-the-art research platform, designed for compatibility with longer duration space mission locker standards, means we can offer a suborbital space lab suited for testing technologies and research in preparation for orbital, lunar, or Martian missions. Redwire is a pioneer in the commercialization of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) research, and we’re thrilled to partner with Redwire to further enhance Virgin Galactic’s proven, safe, and reliable microgravity research platform.”
The new platform will also enhance and simplify the research experience through the customizable Redwire “plug-and-play" lockers, delivering real-time data throughout the entire spaceflight.
These lockers are optimized for both autonomous and human-tended research, with adaptable front panels allowing for easier access before, during, and after the spaceflight. They will also allow researchers to transition their suborbital experiments to payloads aboard the ISS at a lower cost and at lower risk.
“We’re leveraging everything we have learned in our 35 years of outfitting crewed spacecraft to develop these lockers,” said Redwire President of In Space Industries John Vellinger. “Redwire is excited to partner with Virgin Galactic, leveraging its unique platform for suborbital-to-orbital research and development. Virgin Galactic’s Delta spaceships bring to market a new capability that expands the opportunities for commercial space innovation.”
Virgin Galactic’s vehicles offer a suborbital space lab for researchers, commercial industry and governments to experiment, qualify technology and train astronauts in spaceflight and microgravity. Virgin Galactic’s centralized flight operations at Spaceport America offer researchers access to dedicated training programs and facilities, science and research preparation labs and, given the runway takeoff and landing, immediate access to their research for loading and unloading.
Virgin Galactic spaceships have the flexibility to hold a blend of payload racks and researcher astronauts to support both autonomous and human-tended research. Each spaceship will be capable of holding five payload racks, for up to 20 lockers total. Currently in production, the first Delta-Class spaceships are expected to enter commercial service in 2026.
Virgin Galactic has flown dozens of payloads over seven research missions. Examples of research conducted onboard include:
- Biological experiments using plants to study how gene expression changes as terrestrial organisms transition into the novel space environment.
- Autonomous experiments to advance biological imaging systems for use in potential planetary lander applications and space exploration, in addition to nanotechnology for small satellites.
- Low energy, impact experiments to study the behavior of fine particles in dusty environments to inform successful exploration missions of asteroids, the Moon, and Mars.
- Medical device research to inform astrosurgery capabilities in the event complex procedures need to be conducted in a weightless environment and during long-term space missions.
- Experiments studying the combustion characteristics of renewable liquid biofuels, contributing to research on efficient technologies for ecosustainable energy and propulsion systems, such as aircraft engines.
- Physical science experiments examining how confined fluids behave in low gravity to help inform technologies such as spacecraft life-support systems, syringe designs for administering medication in space, and spacecraft propulsion systems.
- Custom technology developed to study the physiological and emotional responses associated with the “Overview Effect” as well as changing brain pressure and vision during spaceflight.
You can read more about Virgin Galactic’s suborbital research program here.
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human-first spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. Scale and profitability are driven by next-generation vehicles capable of bringing humans to space at an unprecedented frequency with an industry-leading cost structure. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com/.
About Redwire
Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial, and national security programs. Redwire’s proven and reliable capabilities include avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads. Redwire combines decades of flight heritage and proven experience with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire’s approximately 700 employees, working from 17 facilities located throughout
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 partnership with Redwire, including plans to manufacture research payload systems for our Delta Class spaceships, planned upgrades to the microgravity research capabilities available onboard Virgin Galactic flights, the design and capabilities of the lockers and Delta class spaceships, the potential for researchers to transition their sub orbital experiments to payloads aboard the ISS at a lower cost and at lower risk, plans to conduct autonomous research onboard powered test flights, and development of our Delta Class spaceships and proposed timeline for testing and commercial service using such spaceships 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 our ability to successfully develop and test our next generation vehicles and their research payload systems, and the time and costs associated with doing so, and the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, 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.
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For media inquiries:
Aleanna Crane – Vice President, Communications
news@virgingalactic.com
575.800.4422
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vg-ir@virgingalactic.com
949.774.7637
Source: Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.
FAQ
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