Virgin Galactic signs 24-month space weather research deal with AFRL

Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Warfare Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, according to a company statement.

The 24-month agreement will evaluate the use of Virgin Galactic's next-generation spaceship as a platform for collecting space weather data during flight. Researchers will assess the integration of sensor systems with the vehicle to gather observational data on space weather and its effects on space-based infrastructure.

Dr. Shaun Ard, Senior Research Chemist at AFRL, said: "Understanding space weather dynamics in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) depends on consistent, high-quality observational data, which has remained limited at scale. This collaboration gives our researchers access to a platform particularly well-suited to fill that gap, supporting efforts to protect and advance space-based systems essential to modern infrastructure and exploration."

Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic, said the agreement "will help expand and identify new and additional opportunities for our growing fleet."

The AFRL's Space Warfare Directorate is described as the Department of the Air Force's primary organization for space environment research and technology development.

Virgin Galactic entered a similar CRADA with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in December 2025, under which the parties are assessing the use of sensor systems aboard Virgin Galactic's launch vehicle to gather data and support the development of high-altitude image-capture capabilities.

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