Monday, November 30, 2020

Virgin Orbit Sets New Launch Window

Mojave-based Virgin Orbit will attempt another launch, on December 19th, the company said on Monday, as it looks to successfully put its rocket into space for the first time. The company--which has designed a modified 747 as a mid-air rocket launch platform---said it has a launch window open between 10am to 2pm Pacific on Saturday, December 19th, with another launch windos on Sunday, December 20th. The company's latest test was able to demonstrate its prelaunch sequence, flyout, rocket separation and unpowered flight, engine start and the start of its first stage of flight, before the rocket aborted and fell into the Pacific. Virgin Orbit says it will carry satellites on board the rocket, including satellites for NASA, despite the un-proven rocket platform.