March 2015
Supplanting the state: rewards and risks
... for much smaller, low-cost systems for launching these smaller satellites into orbit. Virgin Galactic’s LauncherOne reportedly has the ability to deliver as much as 225 kilograms (500 pounds) to a low-inclination low earth orbit...
April 2018
Transforming the launch market for small spacecraft
... between 32 and 36 satellites at a time, depending on the craft’s final design. However, at the same time, Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne, a small vehicle in the final stages of testing, has also been contracted to provide 39 dedicated satellite launches...
April 2020
Spaceport Cornwall – from protests to sustainability
... Orbit’s ‘Cosmic Girl’ system is an upcycled airliner and is 100 percent reusable. Currently its two-stage rocket, ‘LauncherOne’ is not reusable, but this is already being looked at by Virgin Orbit; meanwhile, other launch companies are investing...
April 2020
European spaceports compete for recognition and business
... capabilities for use as a spaceport for horizontal launch, with interest from the Virgin Group in launching the LauncherOne air launched orbital vehicle from the site. For vertical launch, there has been UK government support...
April 2025
Spacecraft anomalies and insurance losses
... Orbit’s modified jumbo jet, ‘Cosmic Girl’ took off from Newquay, Cornwall on 9 January 2023, releasing the LauncherOne rocket over the Atlantic Ocean. The problem with the filter caused the second stage engine...
30 May 2023
Virgin Orbit cuts its losses and ceases operations
... launch services for the ever growing small satellites market. To achieve this Virgin Orbit used a rocket, LauncherOne, strapped under the wing of a converted Boeing 747 aircraft called Cosmic Girl – a horizontal launch method that...
