Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Virgin Galactic completes merger with Social Capital Hedosophia

Space

Virgin Galactic completes merger with Social Capital Hedosophia

Virgin Galactic and Social Capital Hedosophia, a public investment vehicle, announced on Friday the completion of their previously announced business combination.

The resulting company is named Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (VGH) and its common stock, units and warrants are expected to commence trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol SPCE, SPCE.U and SPCE WS, respectively.


Copyright Virgin Galactic 

The Company manufactures its space vehicles in Mojave, California, through its aerospace development subsidiary The Spaceship Company, with commercial operations centered at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
 
VG already has customer reservations from more than 600 people in 60 countries representing approximately $80 million in total collected deposits, and over $120 million of potential revenue. The completion of this merger and trading as a public company are the next milestones on the path towards building a thriving commercial service business and investing appropriately for the future.

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation RT

George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic Holdings said: “Today is the start of a new era for the human spaceflight industry. VG has already pioneered several important space milestones, including sending the first test passenger to space onboard a commercial vehicle, and today’s announcement is no different.  Now that VG is a publicly traded company, anyone can invest in a human spaceflight company that is striving to truly transform the market and be part of the excitement of the commercial space industry.  I am proud of the strong flow of customer deposits and interest we have earned to date, and look forward to making the dream of spaceflight come true for our amazing astronaut customers.”
 
Chamath Palihapitiya, Founder and CEO of SCH, said: “Since our founding, SCH set out to unite technologists, entrepreneurs and technology-oriented investors around a shared vision. What was once a pursuit is now a successfully completed mission. We are pleased to have reached today’s monumental milestone and look forward to continuing to work with the Company to transform the commercial space industry.”
 
Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic, said: “To fellow investors, employees of VG and The Spaceship Company, business partners and customers – thank you for your commitment to our great company, which has made today’s exciting announcement possible. With our proprietary spaceflight system, special airspace access at Spaceport America, globally-recognized brand and broad investor interest, I believe VG is ideally positioned to capitalize on the fast-growing, multibillion-dollar commercial space market and ultimately open space to thousands of new astronauts. Today, we achieved one mission, and as we bring more and more future astronauts to space, we look forward to the future.”
 
As a result of this transaction, Virgin Galactic has received over $450 million of primary proceeds and as at market close on Friday 25th October, the business has a market capitalisation of $2.3 billion. Going forward, existing Virgin Galactic shareholders will own nearly 59%. The Company’s board of directors consists of Chamath Palihapitiya as Chairman, Adam Bain and James Ryans, who were directors of SCH, as well as Wanda Austin, Craig Kreeger, George Mattson, Evan Lovell and George Whitesides.

Advertisement
Marshall RT


 

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation LB 1
UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices

Space

UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices

27 March 2024

The UK Space Agency is opening new headquarters at the Harwell Science Campus’ Space Cluster in Oxfordshire, and offices in Scotland, Wales and the Midlands.

Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

Space

Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

22 March 2024

Airbus has been awarded a contract to design and build the GRACE-C twin spacecraft by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL (Pasadena, California).

UK tech firms selected for Government support in Japan

Aerospace Space

UK tech firms selected for Government support in Japan

21 March 2024

Four innovative UK tech companies have been selected to receive Government support from the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme to accelerate their plans for expansion in Japan.

Viasat expanding in-flight connectivity of Korean Air fleet

Aerospace Space

Viasat expanding in-flight connectivity of Korean Air fleet

20 March 2024

Viasat has been selected to power in-flight connectivity onboard 40 additional aircraft by Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2
Serco welcomes Sarah AlHabbas as first Space Graduate

Space

Serco welcomes Sarah AlHabbas as first Space Graduate

20 March 2024

Serco has welcomed its first Space Graduate, Sarah AlHabbas, helping to advance Saudi talent in the space sector.

Viasat

Aerospace Space

Viasat's IFC selected by Royal Jordanian Airlines

18 March 2024

Royal Jordanian Airlines and Viasat have announced that the airline will officially make high-speed Wi-Fi a priority to enhance its future passenger experience by selecting Viasat's in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution across multiple fleets.

Advertisement
Marshall RT 2