Vertically integrated aerospace company Virgin Galactic (VG) has completed its previously announced integration with public investment firm Social Capital Hedosophia (SCH).

Following the original merger announcement made in July, VG is now the first and only publicly traded commercial human spaceflight company.

The existing SCH shareholders are expected to own up to 49% of the combined company named as Virgin Galactic Holdings (VGH).

The combined company’s common stock, units and warrants are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides said: “VG has already pioneered several important space milestones, including sending the first test passenger to space onboard a commercial vehicle, and today’s announcement is no different.

“Now that VG is a publicly traded company, anyone can invest in a human spaceflight company that is striving to truly transform the market and be part of the excitement of the commercial space industry.”

As part of the deal, VG has received more than $450m of primary proceeds. It will also hold 50% shares in the integrated company.

With customer reservations from more than 60 countries, VG manufactures spacecraft in Mojave, California, through its aerospace development subsidiary The Spaceship Company.

The company has commercial operations based at Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson said: “I believe VG is ideally positioned to capitalise on the fast-growing, multibillion-dollar commercial space market and ultimately open space to thousands of new astronauts. Today, we achieved one mission, and as we bring more and more future astronauts to space, we look forward to the future.”