A four-person test flight will take place in May, and the space tourism business Virgin Galactic Holdings (SPCE.N) announced on Monday that it plans to make its first commercial journey in late June.
After the business announced that the May mission will be the last test of the astronaut experience and the spaceflight system before it opens up for commercial services, shares increased by 4%.
Due to a labor shortage and supply-chain crisis, the company, which is backed by billionaire Richard Branson, had to postpone the launch of its commercial service until the first quarter of 2023 in May of last year.
Virgin Galactic resumed selling tickets for spacecraft trips in February after finishing a protracted refurbishment to its main tourist spaceship. The cost of a ticket was set at $450,000 per person with a $150,000 initial payment.
“Returning to space is what we have all worked towards,” said Mike Moses, president of spaceline missions and safety.
Jamila Gilbert, Christopher Hue, Luke Mays, and Beth Moses will make up the expedition crew.
