Mesa, Arizona – Virgin Galactic is forging ahead with its ambitious plans for space tourism, despite announcing an 18% reduction in its workforce. The company is intensifying its focus on the Delta-class ships, which will be constructed at its state-of-the-art assembly facility in Mesa. CEO Michael Colglazier revealed these strategic realignments, emphasizing the critical role that the Mesa facility plays in the company’s future.
The Mesa assembly facility, located at 5559 S. Sossaman Road, is rapidly progressing, with the core and shell of the buildings already completed. According to Colglazier, interior fit-out is expected to begin in April, and assemblies from Virgin Galactic’s sub-assembly partners, Bell Textron Inc. and Qarbon Aerospace, are slated to arrive in the middle of next year. The completion of the Delta-class ships at this facility is central to Virgin Galactic’s mission and vision for the future of space tourism.
This facility, which boasts a total area of 35,896 square feet and 115,200 square feet, is a crucial part of Virgin Galactic’s long-term strategy. Colglazier anticipates it will be fully operational in 2024, and as it opens, the company plans to hire “well into the hundreds” of engineering and manufacturing employees, stimulating local job growth and economic development.
While commercial flights using Delta-class ships are still a few years away, the company is committed to meticulous testing and ensuring the highest safety standards. The first Delta-class test ship is scheduled for assembly in 2025, followed by a year-long testing process at Spaceport America. After rigorous testing and fine-tuning, these spacecraft are expected to enter commercial service in 2026.
Virgin Galactic’s decision to streamline its workforce demonstrates its commitment to optimizing resources and focusing on its core mission of providing space tourism to the masses. The Mesa assembly facility, a vital component in this grand endeavor, is poised to become a hub of innovation and progress in the world of space travel.
The company’s determination and investment in the Mesa facility are clear indicators of its confidence in the Delta-class ships, and this strategic move will likely lead to groundbreaking developments in the field of commercial space travel in the coming years. As the countdown to the future of space tourism continues, all eyes are on Virgin Galactic and the Mesa assembly facility as they pave the way to the stars.
