Virgin Galactic is evaluating operating flights from Southern Italy as the space tourism project looks to cement its alliance with the European nation’s aviation authority.

After a series of successful commercial spaceflights in 2023 and earlier this year, Virgin Galactic is proudly boasting that it’s operation now accounts for about 5% of the very small number of people who have ever been into space.

Virgin Galactic completed its 12th mission to date last weekend, carrying one researcher and three private astronauts.

Virgin Galactic will look to reignite its commercial spaceflight operations next month, announcing plans for hybrid research/private astronaut crew for ‘Galactic 07’.

Virgin Galactic has flagged an early October space mission for its third paying passenger flight after its fourth successful spaceflight in four months was carried out on Friday [8 September 2023].

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.

Virgin Galactic has revealed the identity of the first three private passengers it plans to take aboard spaceflight ‘Galactic 02’ in early August 2023.

Virgin Galactic successfully completed its latest test mission to space with a full crew from Spaceport America on Thursday (US time), as had been scheduled last week.

Virgin Galactic’s maiden commercial service – earmarked to operate next month – has been given the rather non-original flight name of ‘Galactic 01’.

Virgin Galactic has revealed plans to move forward with a new astronaut campus and training facility after acquiring a parcel of land for the project in New Mexico.

Virgin Galactic Holdings has recruited former Delta Air Lines executive Mike Moore as Executive Vice President, Spaceline Technical Operations. Reporting to Virgin Galactic’s CEO Michael Colglazier, Moore will be tasked with Virgin Galactic’s technical operations and maintenance team in charge of ensuring the company’s vehicles are ready for flight.

Virgin Galactic has confirmed yet another delay for its first commercial space flight, pushed back at least three months until Q1 2023.