The commercial race for space has just gotten a little busier. Virgin Orbit of Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic’s sister company, has successfully launched a rocket into orbit for the first time. It also managed to successfully deliver payloads for a client, NASA, by delivering a number of nano-satellites sponsored by the agency.
On Sundays, Virgin Orbit conducted its second test flight from his LauncherOne missile, which is launched into space with an unconventional launch system. Iinstead of taking off from a launch pad on the ground, the missile is carried underneath the wing of a custom-built Boeing 747, called “Cosmic Girl”, and released in a predetermined location. Once released, the rocket detonates and orbits itself. That’s exactly what happened on Sunday.
As explained by the edge, by launching its missile from an airplane in the sky, Virgin Orbit’s launch system does not require such a large missile or so much fuel. This is good from a financial point of view, as it keeps costs upwn. In addition, the outlet notes that the company is enforcing Which the system is potentially more flexible than others, as it could theoretically launch satellites from anywhere a 737 can take off and land.
“Virgin Orbit has accomplished something that many thought was impossible,” Branson said in a statement Sunday. “It was so inspiring to watch our specially modified Virgin Atlantic 747, Cosmic Girl, send the LauncherOne rocket into orbit. This beautiful flight is the result of many years of hard work and will also unleash a whole new generation of innovators on their way to orbit. “
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The successful launch was a redemption for Virgin Orbit, which failed to reach orbit on its first test flight in May last year. Company said later a problem with a drivetrain, which broke a few seconds after the missile engine ignited, was behind the malfunction.
Unlike Virgin Galactic, which has its eye space tourism, Virgin Orbit is all about small launches satellites.
LauncherOne carried 10 nanosatellites, called CubeSats, that are part of NASA’s Educational Launch of Nano-satellites initiative. The program is designed to attract and retain students in STEM, for NASA, and students are involved in all aspects of the mission, from development to editing to test and launch.
They are not called nanosatellites for nothing. CubeSats are designed to be 10x10x10 inches, or about four inches cubed, the agency explains. While they may be composed of individual units, which must weigh less than three pounds (1.33 kilograms), they can also be combined to make two, three or six units. The CubeSats worn by LauncherOne were made by eight US universities and by NASA itself. The satellites will work to research topics such as space weather, space radiation and space debris, among others.
Virgin Orbit stated that it had already booked a number of customers for subsequent launches, including the US Space Force, UK‘s Royal Force, Italian private space coincluding Mr SITAEL and the Danish satellite manufacturer GomSpace.