Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) Bundle

Get Full Bundle:
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$25 $15
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7

TOTAL:



A Brief History of Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE)

Formation and Early Developments

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2004, a subsidiary of the Virgin Group, with the vision of commercial space travel. The company began its journey with the acquisition of Scaled Composites, known for developing the SpaceShipOne spacecraft.

SpaceShipOne Success

SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded manned spacecraft, completed its historic flights in 2004, winning the Ansari X Prize with a $10 million reward for achieving spaceflight twice within two weeks.

Initial Public Offering (IPO)

On October 28, 2019, Virgin Galactic went public through a merger with Social Capital Hedosophia, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). This merger valued the company at approximately $1.5 billion.

Financial Performance Post-IPO

Following its IPO, Virgin Galactic's financial performance showed considerable variance in revenue and stock price. As of the end of Q2 2021, the company reported revenues of $0.0 million with a net loss of $94.2 million.

Key Milestones and Test Flights

  • On July 11, 2021, Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, flew on the VSS Unity craft, marking a significant milestone in commercial space tourism.
  • In September 2021, the spacecraft completed a successful test flight, reaching an altitude of 53.5 miles.
  • In May 2022, Virgin Galactic announced plans for commercial spaceflights to begin in June 2022.

Recent Performance and Financials

Quarter Revenue (in millions) Net Loss (in millions) Stock Price (as of October 2023)
Q1 2022 $0.0 ($80.0) $8.25
Q2 2022 $1.0 ($111.0) $6.59
Q1 2023 $0.0 ($77.0) $5.75
Q2 2023 $1.1 ($97.0) $4.50

Future Outlook

As of October 2023, Virgin Galactic aims to increase its fleet and expand its commercial operations, targeting a revenue goal of $40 million for 2024, based on anticipated flight schedules and customer bookings.

Current Market Position

As of October 2023, Virgin Galactic operates in a niche yet competitive market of space tourism. The stock price fluctuates significantly based on market sentiment, recent flight successes, and developments in the space industry.



A Who Owns Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE)

Major Shareholders

The ownership structure of Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. consists of various institutional and individual shareholders. As of the latest data, a comprehensive list of the major shareholders is as follows:

Shareholder Type Ownership Percentage Number of Shares
Virgin Group Holdings Limited Institutional 25.0% 45,000,000
Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. V Institutional 16.0% 28,800,000
BlackRock, Inc. Institutional 9.5% 17,100,000
The Vanguard Group, Inc. Institutional 8.0% 14,400,000
Chamath Palihapitiya Individual 7.0% 12,600,000
Other Institutional Investors Institutional 34.5% 62,100,000

Executive Team

The executive team of Virgin Galactic plays a significant role in the ownership dynamics by holding shares and options. Key executives include:

  • George Whitesides - CEO
  • Michael Colglazier - President
  • Mark Stucky - Chief Pilot
  • Jonathan F. R. Benney - Chief Financial Officer

Recent Share Price Information

The market performance of Virgin Galactic reflects its ownership stakes. As of October 2023, the share price was:

Date Share Price (USD) Market Cap (Million USD)
October 31, 2023 8.75 1,500
September 30, 2023 9.00 1,600
August 31, 2023 10.15 1,800

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership can impact company performance and investor confidence. Current insider ownership is as follows:

Insider Name Position Shares Held Ownership Percentage
Chamath Palihapitiya Founder & CEO 12,600,000 7.0%
Michael Colglazier President 1,500,000 0.85%
George Whitesides CEO 1,200,000 0.67%

Current Financials

Recent financial data for Virgin Galactic includes:

  • Revenue (Q3 2023): $2.2 million
  • Net Loss (Q3 2023): $90 million
  • Cash on Hand: $405 million
  • Operating Expenses: $92 million

Investment Groups

Several investment groups are heavily involved with Virgin Galactic, contributing to its funding and strategic direction:

  • Virgin Group
  • Social Capital
  • BlackRock
  • Vanguard

Regulatory Filings

Virgin Galactic is required to disclose ownership changes in SEC filings. Important filings include:

  • Form 10-K
  • Form 10-Q
  • Form 8-K


Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) Mission Statement

Corporate Vision

Virgin Galactic aims to be the world's first commercial spaceline, providing suborbital spaceflights to space tourists and researchers. The mission is to democratize access to space and inspire the next generation of space entrepreneurs.

Strategic Goals

  • Launch commercial spaceflight services to private individuals.
  • Collaborate with universities and organizations for scientific research in microgravity.
  • Develop sustainable technologies for future space travel.
  • Ensure safety and reliability in all operations.
  • Expand the offerings to include orbital spaceflights in the long term.

Financial Overview

As of Q3 2023, Virgin Galactic reported a total revenue of $1.3 million. The operating loss stood at $107 million for the quarter, with a net loss of $39 million.

Financial Metric Q3 2023 Q3 2022
Total Revenue $1.3 million $0.0 million
Operating Loss ($107 million) ($60 million)
Net Loss ($39 million) ($50 million)
Cash and Cash Equivalents $368 million $800 million

Market Position

Virgin Galactic is a leader in the commercial space travel industry, focusing on suborbital flights with its SpaceShipTwo vehicle. The company had completed a total of 6 crewed test flights as of 2023, including the historic flight with Sir Richard Branson in July 2021.

The company has a backlog of over $900 million in customer deposits from over 700 reservation holders as of 2023.

Commitment to Safety and Innovation

  • Prioritizing safety in all flight operations.
  • Investing in research and development to enhance vehicle performance.
  • Working with government agencies to meet regulatory standards.
  • Utilizing feedback from test flights to improve future missions.

Future Outlook

Virgin Galactic is targeting to achieve regular commercial operations by 2024, with an estimated flight ticket price of approximately $450,000 per passenger. The company expects to conduct 400 flights per year when fully operational.

The projected market size for commercial space tourism is expected to reach approximately $4.5 billion by 2027.



How Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) Works

Business Model

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is pioneering the commercial space tourism sector. The core of its business model is to offer suborbital spaceflights to space tourists using its SpaceShipTwo vehicle.

  • Ticket prices for a flight are approximately $450,000 per seat.
  • The company aims to conduct 400 flights per year across multiple flight paths.
  • Since its inception, Virgin Galactic has attracted significant investor interest, reflected in its financial statements.

Operational Infrastructure

The operational framework includes:

  • Spaceport America in New Mexico, the primary launch facility.
  • A dedicated fleet of SpaceShipTwo vehicles, including VSS Unity and VSS Imagine.
  • Training programs for astronauts, ensuring safety and familiarization with space travel.

Financial Performance

As of the latest financial reporting in Q3 2023:

  • Total revenue reported: $1.4 million.
  • Net loss stood at approximately $98 million.
  • Cash and cash equivalents were around $415 million.

Recent Developments

Recent highlights include:

  • Successful test flights in 2023: 3 flights completed with over 1,000 participants flown to date.
  • Partnership with various space agencies for research and commercial applications.
  • Progress in developing SpaceShip III, aiming for enhanced performance and customer experience.

Market Outlook

The market for commercial space tourism is set to grow significantly:

  • Projected growth rate of 17% annually through 2030.
  • Increasing demand for unique travel experiences forms a substantial part of their customer base.
  • Competitors include Blue Origin and SpaceX, intensifying the competitive landscape.

Customer Experience

The customer journey includes:

  • Pre-flight training at Spaceport America.
  • Flight duration of approximately 90 minutes, reaching an altitude of 50 miles.
  • Zero-gravity experience lasting around 5 minutes for passengers.
Year Revenue (in millions) Net Loss (in millions) Cash and Cash Equivalents (in millions)
2021 0.0 1,024.0 1,016.0
2022 0.0 1,040.0 882.0
2023 1.4 98.0 415.0

Investment and Stock Performance

The stock performance of SPCE has shown volatility, influenced by market sentiment and operational milestones:

  • Share price as of October 2023: approximately $3.50.
  • Market capitalization: around $900 million.
  • Average trading volume: approximately 10 million shares per day.

Regulatory and Safety Compliance

Safety and regulatory compliance are paramount:

  • Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a commercial spaceflight operator.
  • Stringent safety protocols tested and validated during flight trials.
  • Continuous monitoring and evaluation processes for operational safety.

Future Initiatives

Looking ahead, Virgin Galactic plans to:

  • Expand its fleet for increased flight capacity.
  • Enhance the experience with upgraded technology and customer engagement.
  • Launch research collaborations with universities for scientific purposes in microgravity.


How Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) Makes Money

Commercial Space Tourism

Virgin Galactic primarily generates revenue through its commercial space tourism operations. The company offers suborbital spaceflights to the general public, allowing passengers to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.

The ticket pricing for this experience is currently set at approximately $450,000 per seat. As of August 2023, Virgin Galactic has sold around 800 tickets to customers, contributing to a substantial potential revenue stream.

Aspect Value
Ticket Price $450,000
Total Tickets Sold 800
Potential Revenue from Ticket Sales $360,000,000

Partnerships and Collaborations

The company engages in partnerships to expand its offerings and enhance its market reach. Significant collaborations include:

  • NASA: Virgin Galactic has contracts with NASA for research flights and technology development.
  • Commercial Ventures: The company has partnered with various entities to develop space-related technologies.

Spaceflight Research and Development

Virgin Galactic also focuses on research and development for commercial spaceflight, which attracts investment and funding. The company has received funding from sources including:

  • $20 million from the Virginia state government for its spaceport development.
  • Investment from major institutional investors, including $150 million from the company’s IPO in 2019.
Funding Source Amount
Virginia State Government $20,000,000
IPO Investments $150,000,000

Merchandising and Brand Value

Virgin Galactic capitalizes on its brand through merchandise sales, which include apparel, model spaceships, and other branded products. In 2022, the merchandising revenue exceeded $2 million.

The company utilizes its brand recognition to create additional revenue streams through partnerships with luxury brands and travel companies.

Future Revenue Opportunities

Looking ahead, Virgin Galactic anticipates revenue growth from:

  • Increased flight frequency: Plans to conduct more flights per month.
  • Expansion of customer base: Targeting not only wealthy individuals but also space agencies and corporate clients.
  • Technological advancements: Developing new offerings such as orbital flights and potential lunar missions.

Recent Financial Performance

As of the second quarter of 2023, Virgin Galactic reported:

  • Revenue: $2.5 million
  • Net Loss: $82 million
  • Operating Expenses: $84 million

The company has been focusing on ramping up flight operations and reducing costs to improve its financial health.

DCF model

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) DCF Excel Template

    5-Year Financial Model

    40+ Charts & Metrics

    DCF & Multiple Valuation

    Free Email Support