SHIPROCK, N.M. —

It won't be happening overnight. But after a 16-month hiatus, Virgin Galactic is on track to resume commercial research spaceflights by the end of 2026.

The means of getting to suborbital space will be an updated Eve launch craft carrying a new Delta spaceplane, which is still in development and expected to begin test flights next fall.

Eve has already begun test flights at Spaceport America in Shiprock.

The company says that under the current schedule, most of the current backlog of private astronaut customers should be able to fly in 2027. The company is preparing to resume ticket sales in 2026.

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