Virgin Galactic has flagged a flight window will open from 8 September 2023 for the third commercial spaceflight. If successful, it will be Virgin Galactic’s fourth spaceflight in four months.
Spaceflight ‘Galactic 03’ crew members – three of them – will come from the first of Virgin Galactic’s group of ‘Founder’ astronauts. Founders are “the first customers whose forward-thinking vision and early ticket purchases helped make the dream of regular commercial spaceflights a reality,” Virgin Galactic said. They purchased their tickets as early as 2005 and have been active within the Future Astronaut community which numbers close to 800 individuals in 60 countries.
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In the past twelve weeks, Virgin Galactic has introduced eleven new astronauts to the world. Following the ‘Galactic 03’ spaceflight, the customers on board would become Virgin Galactic astronauts 014, 015 and 016.
Virgin Galactic recently completed its first private astronaut flight, ‘Galactic 02’, achieving multiple historic milestones by flying private astronauts Jon Goodwin from the United Kingdom, and Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers from Antigua and Barbuda.
Meanwhile, Virgin Galactic has welcomed Henio Arcangeli, Jr. to Virgin Galactic’s Board of Directors. Arcangeli is a seasoned consumer and industrial manufacturing executive with more than 20 years of experience leading businesses across the automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors.
Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic, said Henio has a “proven business prowess gained from decades of experience helping lead global manufacturers will serve Virgin Galactic well as we ramp up the production of our Delta Class fleet and scale our business.”
Arcangeli said: “It is an honor to join the Board of such a visionary, pioneering company. The Virgin Galactic team’s achievements in developing a revolutionary spaceflight system and launching the world’s first commercial spaceline are nothing short of amazing and inspiring, and I am truly excited for what lies ahead.”
Additionally, Director Dr. Wanda Austin has retired from the Virgin Galactic Board, effective immediately.