Virgin Galactic has named its first Delta-class spaceship Apeiron, using an ancient Greek term meaning “boundless.” Thousands of people across 83 countries took part in the public vote on its name. The company expects commercial service to begin early in the second quarter of 2027, from Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Apeiron will carry six passengers, compared with four on its predecessor, Unity, which completed its final commercial flight in June 2024. A carrier plane called Eve will release the spacecraft at about 50,000 feet. Apeiron will then fire its rocket engine and climb toward space. Passengers will briefly experience weightlessness before the vehicle returns to a runway without completing an orbit around Earth.
Each Delta spacecraft is designed for up to eight flights per month, although this goal still needs to be demonstrated in testing and service. Its construction allows teams to build and maintain separate sections and systems. This approach is intended to make production and maintenance easier, helping crews prepare the spacecraft for repeated flights.
Before flight testing begins, engineers will check the software that controls its flight systems. Additional software work and checks are behind the revised schedule for passenger service. Besides private passenger trips, Virgin Galactic plans to pursue scientific research and government missions.
