Virgin Orbit assembling fleet of 747 jets to launch more rockets
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On June 30, 2021, the modified 737 plane “Cosmic girl” takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port (California) carrying a LauncherOne rocket.
Virgin Orbit
Virgin OrbitCompany announced Tuesday that it is creating a fleet for modified 747 jets. It also ordered two cargo planes modified to aid in the launch of more rockets into outer space.
Company is purchasing the additional two airframes through L3HarrisVirgin Orbit will be modifying the aircraft to launch and carry its rockets. Virgin will receive the first plane next year.
Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, said that the timing for the second plane’s delivery will depend more on market demand. He said that the deal would “unleash us in many ways.” Hart said that the deal “eliminates one of the major chokepoints” in the system.
This will allow the company to keep their launches running in the event that one of its aircraft needs maintenance. He added, “All sorts of possibilities will be open for supporting different clients in different locations.”
Virgin Orbit offers a one-off aircraft. It is a personalized version of the Virgin Orbit plane. BoeingA 747-400 named “Cosmic Girl” has flown four launches of Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket. Through a method known as air launch, the company’s aircraft carries its rockets to about 45,000 feet of altitude and drops them just before they fire their engines and accelerate into space — a method the company touts as more flexible than ground-based systems.
Hart did not provide financial details about the agreement with L3Harris but stated that the initial cost for a 747 aircraftframe was in the single digits of millions.
Virgin Orbit will have two LauncherOne rockets on its new 747s. L3Harris has also modified it to be able to transport all ground support equipment and the LauncherOne rockets to the launch site.
Hart stated that the ability to fly two rockets with all ground equipment and then deploy them in one plane and have a launch site somewhere is quite unique. This adds to national security communities’ unpredictability. [and]Spaceports are more economically viable.
Virgin Orbit went public via a SPAC in December. Stock prices have fallen by 44% in the past year since it was launched, closing Monday at $4.51 an share.
Launch of the first U.K. rocket
Virgin Orbit’s 747-powered modified jet “Cosmic Girl”, launches the LauncherOne rocket of Virgin Orbit for a mission January 13th 2022.
Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit is scheduled to fly its next mission for the Pentagon. It will transport seven satellites belonging to the government, and it is expected that this mission will take place no sooner than June 29.
Next up, the company plans to launch its first international flight from Cornwall in the United Kingdom. Hart explained that in order to prepare for that mission which will take place during the third quarter, Hart suggested that the company would conduct a complete wet practice of the Cornwall rocket at its current operations base at Mojave Air and Space Port (California), before flying Cosmic girl and sending out its equipment.
Virgin Orbit’s ability to respond to international demands is enhanced by the addition of more aircraft. The company also has agreements in place with Japan, Brazil and the U.K. and memorandums between Oman, Poland, and Oman.
Hart indicated that they are in talks with “a few other countries” Hart explained.
Virgin Orbit may also be interested in governments owning 747 aircraft, while the company will provide launch services. Hart stated that this is the most economic option because it has a simple logistics tail. Hart agreed.
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