Virgin Galactic is preparing to name the first spacecraft in its next-generation Delta-class fleet. The commercial spaceflight company has selected four finalists and is inviting the public to vote for the name that will be assigned to its newest suborbital spaceplane.

The spacecraft will succeed Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo vehicles, which carried Richard Branson and 31 other passengers and crew on flights to the edge of space. The company says the Delta-class design is intended to improve spacecraft production, maintenance, and flight operations as Virgin Galactic works to expand access to suborbital spaceflight.

Voting is available through Virgin Galactic’s official naming website. The company is also encouraging space enthusiasts, future astronauts, and members of the general public to participate.

The Four Finalist Names for Virgin Galactic’s New Spacecraft

Virgin Galactic narrowed 276 submitted names to four finalists: Horizon, Explorer, Rise, and Apeiron. Credit: Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic gathered suggestions from employees and its “Future Astronauts,” the term it uses for customers who have reserved seats on future flights. From 276 submissions, the company selected four names for the final public vote:

• Horizon — Inspired by the blue curve of Earth against the darkness of space.
• Explorer — Reflects humanity’s desire to discover new places and travel farther.
• Rise — Represents determination, ambition, and the act of lifting off on a rocket-powered flight.
• Apeiron — An ancient Greek word associated with infinity and the limitless view experienced at high altitude.

Voting is open until August 27, 2026, to anyone aged 13 or older. Virgin Galactic plans to reveal the winning name and the spacecraft’s new livery during an upcoming program milestone.

Delta 1 Moves Toward Flight Testing

Virgin Galactic’s first Delta-class spacecraft, Delta 1, was moved from its assembly hangar to a test and launch hangar in Arizona. Credit: Virgin Galactic

Earlier this year, Virgin Galactic completed the structural assembly of its first Delta-class spacecraft, known as Delta 1. The vehicle was then towed from an assembly facility to a test and launch hangar in Arizona, where it will undergo preparations for flight testing.

Like SpaceShipTwo, the Delta spacecraft is designed to carry up to six people on suborbital missions. Virgin Galactic says the new vehicle will feature a more streamlined manufacturing and maintenance process, along with improved operational capabilities and a higher potential flight rate.

“Our first ship is scheduled to enter commercial service in February 2027,” Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier said in a statement released August 12. “We plan to begin the flight test phase of this spacecraft in October, with a second spacecraft also expected to join the fleet in March.”

After testing in Arizona, the first Delta-class spacecraft is expected to be delivered to Spaceport America in New Mexico, Virgin Galactic’s commercial spaceflight base.

From Enterprise to Unity: Virgin Galactic’s Spacecraft Names

Virgin Galactic has traditionally given its spacecraft names with broader cultural and historical meaning. The first SpaceShipTwo vehicle was named VSS Enterprise, continuing a naming tradition associated with spacecraft operated by the US Navy, NASA, and science fiction franchises.

VSS Enterprise was destroyed during a powered test flight on October 31, 2014. Co-pilot Michael Alsbury died in the accident, while pilot Peter Siebold survived with serious injuries.

Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo vehicle was named VSS Unity. The name was selected to reflect the support the company received after the 2014 accident and the idea that space exploration can bring people and nations together.

Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who had planned to fly aboard SpaceShipTwo, contributed a message for the unveiling of VSS Unity. He described space exploration as a force capable of encouraging cooperation across national borders.

In 2021, Virgin Galactic also introduced VSS Imagine, the company’s first SpaceShip III vehicle. The spacecraft featured modular construction designed to simplify maintenance and a distinctive reflective exterior. A second SpaceShip III, VSS Inspire, was announced, but development of that design was later halted as Virgin Galactic shifted its focus to the Delta-class spacecraft.

The winning name for Delta 1 will add another chapter to Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft history as the company prepares to resume commercial passenger flights.