#launcherone

Virgin Orbit says issue with rocket’s second stage led to mission failure

Virgin Orbit, the unconventional rocket company founded by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, said its mission failure earlier this week was due to an anomaly with the rocket’s second stage. Although the LauncherOne rocket managed to reach space and achieve stage separation, the anomaly prematurely terminated the first burn of the upper stage’s engines, at an altitude of around 180 kilometers,…

Virgin Orbit carries satellites to space for the first time (update: deployed)

Virgin Orbit’s second launch demonstration flight has been smoother than its first. The company has carried customer satellites into space for the first time after the Cosmic Girl host aircraft successfully deployed the LauncherOne rocket over the Pa…

Virgin Orbit успешно запустила ракету-носитель LauncherOne

17 января Virgin Orbit успешно запустила свою ракету LauncherOne. Носитель стартовал из-под крыла самолета Boeing 747 у побережья Южной Калифорнии. Continue reading

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne system achieves orbit

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne successfully ignites its engine moments after being dropped by a carrier aircraft to begin its flight toward orbit. Credit: Virgin Orbit After several hours filled with hopeful anticipation, California-based company Virgin Orbit successfully air-launched its LauncherOne rocket Jan. 17 over the Mojave Desert.Continue reading

Virgin Orbit carries satellites to space for the first time (update: deployed)

Virgin Orbit’s second launch demonstration flight has been smoother than its first. The company has carried customer satellites into space for the first time after the Cosmic Girl host aircraft successfully deployed the LauncherOne rocket over the Pa…