Watch Virgin Galactic's new 'Delta-class' space plane take to the skies for the 1st time (video)

Apeiron in the Sky: First Step for the Delta Class

Commercial spaceflight firm Virgin Galactic has reached an important milestone in expanding its operational fleet. The company's first 'Delta-class' space plane, newly christened Apeiron, took to the skies for the very first time, launching its intensive flight-test campaign.

Captive Flight Test Beneath the Mothership

During the inaugural flight, Apeiron remained mounted beneath the wings of its carrier mothership rather than releasing into free glide or igniting its rocket engine. Known as a captive-carry flight, this crucial trial verified the aerodynamic compatibility, structural integrity, and telemetry linkages between the new airframe and its high-altitude mothership.

Targeting High-Frequency Suborbital Operations

Virgin Galactic's Delta-class vehicles are engineered for significantly higher flight cadence, streamlined maintenance turnaround, and enhanced operational efficiency compared to previous generations. Apeiron's successful first outing paves the way for upcoming glide and powered test flights, moving closer to expanded suborbital service.