Virgin Orbit Archives

Virgin Orbit selected to launch 6 imaging satellites to low Earth orbit

Derek Wise - Apr 22nd 2021 6:05 am PT @derekiswise

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In a press release Wednesday, Virgin Orbit announced that they were selected by geospatial analytics company Hypersat, and QinetiQ, a defense and security company, to launch 6 hyperspectral satellites into low earth orbit.

Virgin Orbit picks up former OneWeb Satellites CEO to get them ready for the commercial market

Seth Kurkowski - Feb 20th 2021 2:59 pm PT @SethKurk

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Richard Branson’s satellite launcher Virgin Orbit has selected their first Chief Operating Officer to help get the company ready for commercial operations after the success of their Demo 2 mission. This mission successfully deployed 10 NASA payloads from NASA’s Launch Services Program into orbit around Earth bringing them officially online as a company capable to send satellites into orbit.

Virgin Orbit to launch Royal Netherlands Air Force’s first satellite

Seth Kurkowski - Jan 25th 2021 12:10 pm PT @SethKurk

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On the heals of their first successful launch into orbit earlier this month, Virgin Orbit has been selected to send a new payload for the Royal Netherlands Royal Air Force called BRIK-II, a payload named after the their first airplane.

Virgin Orbit successfully launches rocket to space from wing of a 747 plane in milestone mission

Seth Kurkowski - Jan 18th 2021 7:59 am PT @SethKurk

NASA Virgin Orbit LauncherOne Cosmic Girl

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Virgin Orbit attempted its second demonstration launch on Sunday after their first attempt failed shortly after the first stage ignition last year. This time around they didn’t just launch a mass simulator but actual payloads from NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellites program ElaNa 20 which contained several CubeSats from universities across the nation.

Virgin Orbit will launch a test rocket from the wing of a 747 plane as soon as Wednesday

Zac Hall - Jan 7th 2021 10:10 am PT @apollozac

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January 7: VO now has a more firm date of Wednesday, January 13.

Virgin Orbit has announced the next test opportunity for its Launch Demo 2 mission from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The mission will test launching a rocket to space from the wing of an airplane.

Virgin Orbit targeting mid-January for Launch Demo 2 mission following COVID-19 delays

Zac Hall - Dec 23rd 2020 10:36 am PT @apollozac

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Virgin Orbit planned to conduct its second Launch Demo mission before the end of the year, but the spread of COVID-19 forced the team to halt pre-flight work this month. After following recommended safety guidelines, the team at Virgin Orbit is back on track, the company shared today. Virgin Orbit’s launch approach involves dropping a space-bound rocket called LauncherOne from the wing of a 747 plane named Cosmic Girl.

Virgin Orbit forced to halt prep for next plane-based rocket launch test due to COVID-19

Zac Hall - Dec 14th 2020 10:01 am PT

Virgin Orbit is developing a launch system that can deploy small rockets from anywhere on the planet, but the spread of COVID-19 continues to affect the pace of progress.

Virgin Orbit names ex-Aerojet Rocketdyne strategy chief as CSO ahead of next mission

Zac Hall - Dec 7th 2020 11:49 am PT @apollozac

Virgin Orbit Jim Simpson

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Virgin Orbit has added Jim Simpson to its executive team to serve as the launch company’s first Chief Strategy Officer. Simpson filling the CSO role is the latest sign that Virgin Orbit is maturing and preparing for commercial service. VO is scheduled to launch its second demonstration flight in less than two weeks.

Virgin Orbit plans to return to flight before end of this year

Seth Kurkowski - Nov 30th 2020 3:11 pm PT @SethKurk

Virgin Orbit LauncherOne

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After the first Demo Mission of its LauncherOne air launch system ended in the ocean rather than orbit, Virgin Orbit plans to launch Demo Mission 2 on December 19. This will be its second-ever launch attempt, and this time, it will be adding customer payloads to the top of the rocket.

Virgin Orbit Launch Demo 2 mission targeting late 2020, will carry 11 NASA CubeSats

Zac Hall - Aug 3rd 2020 11:40 am PT @apollozac

NASA Virgin Orbit LauncherOne Cosmic Girl

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Virgin Orbit will return to flight as soon as late 2020 with a second demonstration mission aimed at dropping a space-bound LauncherOne rocket from the wing of a 747 plane named Cosmic Girl. The second orbital flight test will include NASA payload this time with 11 small satellites onboard for deployment.