Virgin Galactic Delays Delta Spaceplane Debut to February 2027

Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. delayed the debut of its Delta-class spaceplane to February 2027, pushing back the original target of the final quarter of 2026. The company stated the extension is necessary to complete avionics and systems installations.

Shares fell 9.1% in postmarket trading to $3 following the announcement. The company reported quarterly revenue of approximately $134,000 and cash equivalents of $187.3 million. Virgin Galactic has paused space tourism trips since June 2024 to prioritize the Delta spacecraft, which is designed for faster turnaround and reusability.

Despite the timeline shift, the company booked new spaceflight expeditions expected to generate $50 million in revenue. Virgin Galactic plans to reopen bookings in the fall at a price exceeding the current $750,000 per ticket.