TLDR
- Virgin Galactic announced Purdue 1 mission for 2027 with university researchers and alumni
- Stock rose today on heavy call options trading activity above normal levels
- Legal settlement completion removed investor overhang pressure
- Mission will carry five passengers including professor and graduate student
- New Delta class spacecraft expected to begin flying in 2026
Virgin Galactic shares moved higher today as the space tourism company announced a research partnership with Purdue University while traders piled into call options. Shares prices surged over 17% to a high of $3.94 on Tuesday.
The company revealed plans for the Purdue 1 mission in 2027. This flight will carry five passengers to suborbital space along with two pilots.
The passenger list includes Steven Collicott, a Purdue aerospace engineering professor. Graduate student Abigail Mizzi will also make the trip.
Three Purdue alumni will join them, though two names remain undisclosed. Alumni Jason Williamson was named as one passenger.
The mission represents more than just a flight. Collicott and Mizzi will conduct experiments during the journey.
Collicott will study how liquids spread across surfaces in microgravity. His research aims to help design better spaceflight hardware.
Mizzi will investigate how liquids oscillate in zero gravity conditions. These experiments could benefit future long-duration missions.
Research Focus Takes Center Stage
Virgin Galactic President Mike Moses highlighted the educational value. Moses, a former NASA shuttle manager and Purdue graduate, emphasized real-time research opportunities.
One passenger seat will be removed to make room for research equipment. The space plane typically carries six people.
NASA will fund Collicott’s seat through its Flight Opportunities program. The professor won a research proposal competition.
Donations will cover Mizzi’s ticket costs. The three alumni passengers will pay their own way.
The mission will use Virgin Galactic’s new Delta class spacecraft. These advanced vehicles should start flying in 2026.
Previous flights used the VSS Unity space plane. The company paused operations to develop the improved Delta design.
Market Activity Drives Stock Movement
Today’s stock rise came from increased options trading rather than the Purdue announcement alone. Call option volume jumped well above typical levels.
This activity signals bullish sentiment among short-term traders. Many appear to be betting on a rebound after recent share weakness.
A completed legal settlement also helped remove pressure on the stock. The settlement addressed previous safety disclosure concerns.
Virgin Galactic has been working to reduce expenses during its transition period. The company is focusing resources on next-generation spacecraft development.
The stock’s momentum reflects speculative trading more than fundamental business changes. Renewed analyst attention has also supported interest.
Virgin Galactic has flown seven commercial flights to date. The most recent mission occurred in June 2024.
The company first reached space in December 2018. Founder Richard Branson took the first fully crewed flight in July 2021.
Ticket prices for the previous VSS Unity flights reached $600,000. Delta class pricing has not been announced but is expected to be higher.
Purdue University has strong space connections with 28 alumni who have flown or been selected for spaceflight. Notable graduates include Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan.
The Purdue 1 mission is scheduled for 2027 using the new Delta spacecraft currently under development.
