New spaceships to be built in Phoenix

Virgin Galactic will build their new Delta spaceships in Mesa, Arizona.

• An initial team is preparing the Phoenix facility for the arrival of tooling in Q4 2024, followed by the installation of major subassemblies, such as the wing, fuselage, and feathering system.
• The multiuse facility includes two hangars with multiple bays designed for the flexible building and testing of space vehicles.
• Virgin Galactic's digital twin technology will support work at the facility, promoting real-time collaboration with their suppliers.
• After ground testing in Phoenix, Delta spaceships will be ferried by Virgin Galactic’s mothership to Spaceport America, New Mexico, for flight testing ahead of 2026 commercial operations.
• The new manufacturing facility represents a significant milestone in next-generation spaceship development, crucial for scale and profitability.

The completion of Virgin Galactic's new spaceship manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona marks an important milestone in the growth of the space economy in our state.

The facility will be used for the final assembly of next-generation Delta spaceships, with assembly expected to begin in Q1 2025. Currently, the facility is being prepared by a team of technical operations and manufacturing personnel, in anticipation of the arrival of tooling in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The facility includes two hangars equipped with multiple bays, allowing for maximum flexibility in building and testing space vehicles. This development highlights the potential of the space economy in Arizona, as companies like Virgin Galactic continue to expand their capabilities and increase access to space.

Virgin Galactic's Delta spaceships are expected to seat up to six private passengers and can potentially complete up to eight missions per month. This increased capacity will significantly enhance access to space for individuals and organizations alike.

The economic benefits of space exploration and technologies are significant. The space industry creates jobs and drives technological advancements, which have ripple effects across multiple industries. New business models are emerging, and the commercialization of space has led to the development of new technologies and services.

Space-supported technologies and data from satellites plays a crucial role in global commerce and trade, with applications in areas such as meteorology, GPS etc. The space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, according to a recent report from McKinsey. However, it's important to note that economic data definitions and methodologies for measuring the space economy are still evolving.

The growth of the space economy has implications for business, policy, and society.

Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others are driving the development and commercialization of new technologies. This, in turn, is creating opportunities for businesses to participate in the space industry.