Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Virgin Orbit Attempts Rocket Launch, But Fails To Reach Space

Long Beach-based Virgin Orbit attempted the first launch of its LauncherOne rocket on Monday, dropping and igniting the rocket--which failed to make it to space. According to Virgin Atlantic, it was able to carry its rocket using the Cosmic Girl aircraft out to the launch site, and release the LauncherOne successfully; it also managed to light its booster engine, but according to Virgin Orbit an "anomaly" occurred and it safely terminated its mission. The company did not say what occurred, however, remote video of the launch shows a puff of smoke at the time of the launch--it's unclear if the LauncherOne rocket was destroyed in flight, or fell into the Pacific Ocean. According to Virgin Orbit, Cosmic Girl and all of its crew landed safely at Mojave Air and Space Port, concluding the mission. Virgin Orbit did not say when it will attempt another launch, but said its next rocket is in final stages of integration at its Long Beach manufacturing.