Space Industry and Business News  
ROCKET SCIENCE
Virgin Orbit launches 7 small satellites from jumbojet
by Paul Brinkmann
Washington DC (UPI) Jun 30, 2021

Launch company Virgin Orbit sent seven satellites into space on Wednesday from a rocket carried by a jet plane over the Pacific Ocean.

The Cosmic Girl jet, a modified 747, took off at 9:53 a.m. EDT from Mojave Air and Space Port about 90 miles north of Los Angeles.

Just under an hour later, the LauncherOne rocket dropped from the wing of the jet. Seconds after release, the rocket thrusters fired and launched into orbit. Cameras on the rocket showed blue and white sky becoming black with the Earth in the background.

It was the second successful orbital mission for California-based Virgin Orbit.

"She's capable of lifting up to 300 kilograms or 650 pounds to low Earth orbit," Wade McEroy, chief of staff for Virgin Orbit subsidiary Vox Space, said of the rocket in a live broadcast.

The first stage of the rocket burns for about three minutes before the second stage fires and carries the payloads for about six minutes.

On board are four small national security spacecraft for the U.S. Department of Defense, two STORK Earth observation satellites for Poland-based space company SatRevolution and the first small satellite for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, BRIK II, which will provide military communication and navigation.

Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit plans to livestream the mission, which is named Tubular Bells Part One after his company Virgin Records' first album, Tubular Bells in 1973.


Related Links
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


ROCKET SCIENCE
Virgin Galactic receives approval from FAA for Full Commercial Launch License
Las Cruces NM (SPX) Jun 28, 2021
Virgin Galactic has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has updated the Company's existing commercial space transportation operator license to allow the spaceline to fly customers to space. The Company also announced that it has completed an extensive review of data gathered from its May 22 test flight and confirmed that the flight performed well against all flight objectives. The adjustment to Virgin Galactic's operator's license, which the Company has held since 2016, marks ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

ROCKET SCIENCE
Setting gold and platinum standards where few have gone before

Detergent maker helps NASA explore space laundry

AiRANACULU wins second NASA contract for advanced space communications system

Ultralight material withstands supersonic microparticle impacts

ROCKET SCIENCE
China's relay satellites facilitate clear, smooth space-ground communication

Filtering out interference for next-generation wideband arrays

ESA helps Europe boost secure connectivity

Isotropic Systems and SES GS complete trials for of new connectivity for US Military

ROCKET SCIENCE
ROCKET SCIENCE
GMV develops a new maritime Galileo receiver

NASA extends Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System mission

Orolia's GNSS Simulators now support an ultra-low latency of five milliseconds

Lockheed Martin-Built Next Generation GPS III Satellite Propels Itself to Orbit

ROCKET SCIENCE
Visualizing quieter supersonic flight

F-22 training unit to move to Langley-Eustis AFB, Va.

Sikorsky to build nine more CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for U.S. Marines

Army soldiers get involved in helicopter design process

ROCKET SCIENCE
Synthetic biology circuits can respond within seconds

Alpha Data delivers new FPGA-based solution for High Altitude environments

Clearing the way toward robust quantum computing

Physicists uncover secrets of world's thinnest superconductor

ROCKET SCIENCE
Scientists use NASA satellite data to track ocean microplastics from space

Artificial intelligence breakthrough gives longer advance warning of ozone issues

European system speeds data flow with 50 000 links

NASA helps map impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on harmful air pollution

ROCKET SCIENCE
Turks defend nature against Erdogan's development push

GAO: Cost of toxic chemical cleanup at military bases to rise above estimates

About 25% of chemicals in plastics are 'substances of potential concern'

New urban planning software may inspire more sustainable cities









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.