Virgin Galactic Seeks Public Input to Name New Delta-Class Spaceplane

Virgin Galactic, the commercial spaceflight company founded by Richard Branson, is preparing to christen its first next‑generation spacecraft, a Delta‑class vehicle that will follow the company’s earlier SpaceShipTwo. The new spaceplane is designed to carry customers on suborbital flights that briefly cross the U.S.‑defined boundary between Earth and space. While the design and engineering milestones have been announced, the company has not yet chosen a name for the vessel. To involve fans and potential passengers, Virgin Galactic opened a public voting campaign on August 11, offering four finalist names. The vote is hosted on the company’s website, where visitors can select the name they feel best represents the next chapter in the company’s mission to expand access to space. The initiative reflects Virgin Galactic’s ongoing strategy of engaging the public in its brand and product development, and it underscores the growing trend of commercial space operators seeking community input as they expand their fleets. The Delta‑class spaceplane will join Virgin Galactic’s growing fleet and is expected to play a key role in the company’s future suborbital launch schedule. By allowing the public to participate in naming the craft, Virgin Galactic aims to strengthen its brand identity and foster a sense of shared ownership among its customer base. The outcome of the vote will be announced once the company finalizes the name, marking a symbolic moment in the commercial spaceflight industry’s evolution.