Virgin Galactic Shares Jump 19.5% on First VSS Unity Flight Test Restart
SPCE•Virgin Galactic shares surged 19.5% in regular trading and rose 14% after hours, extending a six-day rally and an 83% five-day gain. This follows VSS Unity’s first glide flight in two years, Q3 testing and Q4 commercial restart plans, reopening of 50 $750,000 seats, and a 26% cut in operating expenses.
1. Stock Performance Rally
Virgin Galactic shares gained 19.53% in regular trading on 28 May and added 14% in after-hours, extending a six-day rally that has delivered an 83% advance over five sessions. The surge positions the stock among the top performers in the space tourism sector.
2. VSS Unity Flight Test Resumption
On 27 May, VSS Unity completed its first glide flight in two years at Spaceport America, signaling Virgin Galactic’s return to active flight-testing operations. Management plans to continue test flights through the third quarter, paving the way for resumed commercial service.
3. Mission Plans and Ticket Sales
The company reopened ticket sales for 50 future missions, each priced at $750,000, and forecasts commercial operations to restart in the fourth quarter of 2026. These sales reopenings aim to capitalize on renewed investor and consumer confidence in the space tourism market.
4. Cost Management and Sector Tailwinds
Virgin Galactic reported a 26% year-on-year reduction in operating expenses for the first quarter, reflecting tighter financial discipline. The broader rally in space stocks has been fueled by investor excitement over a potential $1.75 trillion SpaceX IPO, benefiting Virgin Galactic’s valuation.
