We Build Spaceships: Inside the Spaceship Factory
•December 16, 2025
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Summary
Inside Virgin Galactic’s newly opened spaceship factory, director of manufacturing engineering Joe Minerys walks viewers through the end‑to‑end assembly of the company’s sub‑orbital vehicle. The video showcases a tightly choreographed shop floor where composite fuselage skins, avionics, landing‑gear mechanisms and the massive oxidizer tank are integrated under a single roof, illustrating how the firm is moving from prototype to low‑rate production.
Key operational insights emerge around the blend of digital and physical workflows. Technicians match a “digital thread” to real‑world parts, drilling over 3,500 holes in a wing panel and using color‑coded drill bars to streamline assembly. The factory employs industry‑standard aerospace drilling and fastening practices, and adopts a “scarfing” technique to trim excess resin from carbon‑fiber components, ensuring a smooth transition for subsequent joins. Shift handovers are formalized with in‑person briefings and a living build plan that tracks bill‑of‑materials, assembly documents and real‑time notes, enabling continuous work across day and night crews.
Notable moments include Minerys’ comment that “everything fit just how it was supposed to” and the emphasis on safety, with briefings before loading the oxidizer tank. The video also highlights the human element: the training of new technicians, the emphasis on expertise, integrity and attention to detail, and the pride expressed when Minerys says, “My kids know I built spaceships.” These anecdotes underscore the cultural shift required to sustain a reusable spacecraft manufacturing line.
The broader implication is that Virgin Galactic is building the infrastructure needed to support frequent, reusable sub‑orbital flights. By standardizing processes, codifying knowledge transfer, and investing in a skilled workforce, the company positions itself to lower per‑flight costs and accelerate the commercialization of space tourism, while also setting a benchmark for other private aerospace manufacturers seeking scalable production.
Original Description
Inside the four walls of Virgin Galactic’s spaceship factory, our team is building the next-gen fleet with precision—every part designed for hundreds of safe flights. Parts flowing in weekly. Systems installing. Structures rising. This is the spaceship factory in full motion. Dive into Episode 8 of We Build SpaceShips.
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