Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit first launch attempt fails
Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne failed to reach orbit in its first launch attempt May 25, with the mission “terminated” moments after the rocket’s release from its aircraft.
Virgin Orbit sets expectations for first launch
Virgin Orbit says that it’s ready for its first orbital launch attempt, scheduled for May 24, while acknowledging potentially long odds of successfully placing a payload into orbit.
Virgin Orbit ready for first orbital launch attempt
Virgin Orbit announced May 20 it will make the first flight of its LauncherOne air-launched vehicle as soon as May 24, but is setting modest expectations about the probability of success.
VOX Space signs deal to fly LauncherOne from Andersen Air Force base in Guam
VOX says launching from Guam allows LauncherOne to serve all orbital inclinations.
Virgin Orbit completes final major test before first LauncherOne flight
Virgin Orbit completed a captive carry test flight of its LauncherOne system April 12, the final major milestone before the company performs its first orbital launch attempt.
Virgin Orbit’s VOX Space wins $35 million U.S. Space Force launch contract
The contract is for three dedicated launches to deliver 44 small satellites to low Earth orbit.
Virgin Orbit selects Japanese airport as launch site
Virgin Orbit announced April 2 it has identified an airport in Japan as a potential site for launch operations, joining airports in the United States and Great Britain as hosts for the air-launch company.
Virgin Orbit designs mass-producible ventilator for coronavirus patients
If the design is approved, Virgin Orbit said it can start producing ventilators in April.
Virgin Orbit’s space launch business deemed ‘essential service,’ work allowed to continue at Long Beach
Virgin Orbit spokesman: “Unavoidably, this will have some impact on our launch date, and on the launches that immediately follow."
Virgin Orbit working toward first launch, schedule reassessed amid pandemic
Virgin Orbit spokesman: "We are assessing things daily and keeping momentum up as best we can."
Small launch companies don’t foresee price war
Small launch vehicle developers say they don’t see a “race to the bottom” for launch prices despite the large number of companies developing vehicles and the emergence of new rideshare options.
VOX Space adds retired Air Force major general Mashiko to board of directors
Susan Mashiko is a retired Air Force major general and former deputy director of the NRO.
Virgin Orbit nearing first launch
Virgin Orbit says it is weeks away from the first orbital launch of its LauncherOne rocket as the company makes plans to move quickly into operations if that flight is successful.
Virgin Orbit plans orbital launch in early 2020
After falling short of plans to begin launches in 2019, Virgin Orbit now expects to perform its first orbital launch attempt in early 2020, a key year for the burgeoning small launch vehicle industry.
U.K. government to fund spaceport improvements for Virgin Orbit
The U.K. Space Agency will provide $9.5 million for infrastructure at a British airport that seeks to host Virgin Orbit’s air-launch system.
Virgin Orbit to add extra rocket stage to LauncherOne for interplanetary missions
Virgin Orbit, while preparing for the first flight of its LauncherOne smallsat rocket, is in the process of choosing an engine for a three-stage variant that would be capable of sending payloads to other planets.
