— As Virgin Galactic nears christening the first of its next generation SpaceShip designed to launch customers on suborbital flights, it still is missing a key component — a name.

The self-described "commercial spaceline," which was founded by British tycoon Richard Branson, has turned to the public to vote on what to call the new vehicle. The spaceplane will be a member of Virgin Galactic's Delta-class fleet, succeeding SpaceShipTwo, which carried Branson and 31 others on 12 short hops above the U.S.-defined boundary between Earth and space.

"You can vote for one of four finalist names for a spaceship that will join Virgin Galactic's growing fleet and the next chapter in our journey to expand access to space," the company announced on its website on Tuesday (Aug. 11). "Name a Virgin Galactic spaceship, shape a piece of spaceflight history."

Virgin Galactic completed structural assembly of "Delta-1," its first new SpaceShip, earlier this year and towed it from its assembly hangar to a test and launch hangar in Arizona. Like SpaceShipTwo, Delta SpaceShips are designed to fly with up to six people. The new SpaceShip has streamlined manufacturing and maintenance, supporting an increased flight rate. Delta-class ships may fly as many as eight space missions per month, 12 times as to what was possible with SpaceShipTwo, according to Virgin Galactic.

Horizon, Explorer, Ascend, Apeiron

Virgin Galactic plans to debut the Delta SpaceShip's livery, including its name, as its next milestone before delivering the first vehicle to Spaceport America in New Mexico where flight tests will begin.

"Our first ship is now expected to enter commercial service in February 2027," said Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic CEO, in a statement released on Wednesday (Aug. 12). "We expect to commence the flight test phase with this vehicle in October, with our second spaceship planned to join the fleet in March."

Recently, Virgin Galactic teammates and "Future Astronauts" (the title the company gives to its clients who have reserved seats) were asked to submit their ideas for a name. Out of the 276 submissions, four were chosen for the vote:

Voting is open through Aug. 27, to everyone ages 13 and up.

"We encourage everyone ... from lifelong space enthusiasts to those simply inspired by what's possible, to participate," reads a Virgin Galactic release. "This is a rare chance to help shape a piece of spaceflight history and to be part of a moment that will inspire future explorers for years to come. Cast your vote, share it with friends and family, and join us as we take another step toward opening space to more people than ever before."

Enterprise, Unity, Imagine, Inspire

The first SpaceShipTwo was christened "Enterprise" during its unveiling in 2009. Selected in part to continue the tradition of using the word in the naming of Royal Navy, U.S. Navy, NASA and science fiction spacecraft, it was also a nod to the future role of private enterprise in the development of a spacefaring civilization.

Tragically, the VSS (Virgin SpaceShip) Enterprise was lost on Oct. 31, 2014, during its fourth powered test flight. Co-pilot Michael Alsbury was killed in the crash. Peter Siebold, the pilot in command, survived but with major injuries.

Virgin Galactic returned to flight — and reached space for the first time — on its second SpaceShipTwo named "Unity." Sometimes referred to as VSS Voyager before the loss of Enterprise, the company chose Unity based on the messages of support that were received urging them to continue in the wake of the disaster.

One of those messages was from astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who had plans to fly to space on SpaceShipTwo.

"We are entering a new space age and I hope this will help to create a new unity," Hawking wrote and later recorded for the audio to be played back at the ship's unveiling. "Space exploration has already been a great unifier — we seem able to cooperate between nations in space in a way we can only envy on Earth."

In March 2021, four months before Unity lifted off with Branson, Virgin Galactic debuted VSS Imagine, its first SpaceShip III. Highlighted for its modular construction to ease servicing and new mirror-like livery, it was originally intended to succeed SpaceShipTwo. VSS Inspire was also announced as the next SpaceShip III to be built, but in 2024 development was canceled in favor of the Delta-class design.