The Spaceship Company
| File:The Spaceship Company logo.png | |
| Company type | Privately held |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | Mojave, California (2005) |
| Founders | Burt Rutan and Richard Branson |
| Headquarters | Mojave, California |
Key people | George Whitesides (CEO) Enrico Palermo (President) Jon Campagna (CFO) |
| Products | Spacecraft and aircraft manufacturing |
Number of employees | 430 (July 2018) |
| Parent | Virgin Galactic |
| Website | [1] www.virgingalactic.com/ |
The Spaceship Company (TSC) is a British-American spacecraft manufacturer established in 2005 by Burt Rutan and Richard Branson. Originally, ownership was split between Virgin Group holding 70% and Scaled Composites holding 30%, until Virgin Galactic assumed full control in 2012. The firm was created to design and produce technology for Virgin Galactic’s Virgin SpaceShip initiative, including the licensed cantilevered hybrid rocket engine and the care-free reentry system sourced from Mojave Aerospace. TSC manufactures spacecraft primarily for Virgin Galactic while also targeting sales to additional clients.
Among TSC’s principal offerings is a suborbital launch system composed of the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) vehicle alongside the White Knight Two (WK2) mothership, which support Virgin Galactic’s commercial spaceflight services.
2005–2010
Established in 2005 by Burt Rutan and Richard Branson, the company was initially a joint venture between Virgin Group and Scaled Composites. Its primary purpose was to oversee development for Virgin Galactic’s Virgin SpaceShip program. Virgin Galactic acted as the initial customer for the SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo platforms, placing orders for five SS2 spacecraft and two WK2 aircraft, with exclusive operational rights during the first eighteen months of service.
By late 2010, commitments were made to construct three WhiteKnightTwo carriers along with five SpaceShipTwo rocket planes.
2011–present
Following completion of the initial WK2 and SS2 models by Scaled Composites, The Spaceship Company assumed responsibility for manufacturing subsequent spacecraft units, including a second SS2 for Virgin Galactic and additional vehicles intended for new customers. In 2012, Virgin Galactic acquired Scaled Composites’ remaining 30% share to gain full ownership.
Employee numbers grew substantially from 70 in July 2011 to 430 by July 2018, reflecting increased production requirements. In June 2013, industry expert Doug Shane joined as executive vice president and general manager, later advancing to president in July 2014. His leadership drew on over three decades of experience at Scaled Composites.
In 2016, The Spaceship Company partnered with Virgin Galactic, Virgin Group, and Boom Technology to develop a supersonic passenger jet designed for transoceanic travel, broadening its product range.
By early 2018, TSC was actively replicating and testing prototypes of the original SpaceShipTwo design in preparation for a targeted spaceflight milestone set for 2019, supporting Virgin Galactic’s growing commercial spaceflight ambitions.
Spaceship manufacturing
After Scaled Composites completed the prototype stages of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo, The Spaceship Company (TSC) announced in March 2010 its transition to commercial-scale production of these vehicles.
By mid-2014, TSC had reached the halfway point in assembling the second SpaceShipTwo model—VSS Unity—achieving approximately 65% completion by November that year. The company officially presented VSS Unity on 19 February 2016. In May 2018, TSC disclosed the construction of two more spacecraft alongside VSS Unity.
Aircraft development
TSC collaborated with Boom Technology to create a next-generation supersonic passenger aircraft. Their initial effort, the one-third scale XB-1 Baby Boom Supersonic Demonstrator, represented a significant advancement into cutting-edge commercial aviation.
Manufacturing facility
In November 2010, TSC commenced construction of a 68,000-square-foot assembly plant at Mojave Air and Space Port, California, designed to support a workforce of up to 170 employees once operating at full capacity.
By July 2011, TSC revealed intentions to start producing components for a second WhiteKnightTwo carrier plane as well as multiple SpaceShipTwo suborbital spacecraft for Virgin Galactic and other customers within the "Final Assembly, Integration and Test Hangar" (FAITH).
This $8 million facility was finalized on schedule by September 2011. Initial production plans included three WhiteKnightTwo carriers and five SpaceShipTwo rocket-powered planes. The FAITH hangar accommodates composite wing and fuselage fabrication, major maintenance activities, and functions as TSC’s primary operational hub.