Virgin Galactic

An artist rendering of the Virgin Galactic manufacturing facility in the East Valley.

Virgin Galactic says it’s building a manufacturing facility tied to space tourism in the East Valley.

The executive director of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport says he’s excited to welcome another aerospace industry leader.

Virgin Galactic’s facility at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is forecast to be running at full capacity by the end of next year.

The operation planned is to assemble pieces made by suppliers in other places into full spaceships, and produce up to six craft a year for use at a spaceport in New Mexico.

Virgin Galactic says it signed a long-term lease, but it did not disclose financial terms of the deal.

The company also predicts that the manufacturing facility will add hundreds of high-skill jobs to the local economy.