LauncherOne facts for kids

LauncherOne diagram

LauncherOne is a special rocket built by a company called Virgin Orbit. It was designed to launch small objects into space. This rocket is unique because it doesn't launch from the ground. Instead, it's carried high into the sky by a large airplane before it blasts off!

This rocket has two main parts, or "stages," that help it reach space. It can carry small satellites, which are sometimes called "smallsats," weighing up to 300 kilograms (about 660 pounds). LauncherOne sends these satellites into a special path around Earth called a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

Virgin Orbit worked on developing LauncherOne from 2007 to 2020. The first time it successfully reached space was on January 17, 2021. This made LauncherOne the first rocket that uses only liquid fuel to be launched from an airplane into orbit. Before that, a test flight on May 25, 2020, didn't quite make it to space.

How LauncherOne Takes Off

LauncherOne is an air-launched rocket. This means it doesn't launch from a launchpad on the ground. Instead, a special airplane carries the rocket high up into the sky. This airplane is a modified Boeing 747 named Cosmic Girl.

When the plane reaches the right altitude, the rocket is released. Then, its engines ignite, sending it zooming towards space. This method can save fuel and allow launches from different locations.

What LauncherOne Carries

LauncherOne is built to carry small satellites into orbit. These satellites are much smaller than big communication satellites. They can be used for many things, like observing Earth, helping with internet connections, or for scientific research.

The rocket can place these small satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). In this type of orbit, a satellite passes over the same spot on Earth at the same local time each day. This is very useful for satellites that need to take pictures or collect data consistently.

Important Flights

Developing a rocket is a big challenge, and it often takes many tests. LauncherOne had its first test flight on May 25, 2020. During this flight, the rocket did not reach space. Engineers learned a lot from this test, which helped them improve the rocket.

The first successful flight happened on January 17, 2021. On this day, LauncherOne successfully carried several small satellites into orbit for the first time. This was a big achievement for Virgin Orbit and showed that their unique air-launch system worked!

Images for kids

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  Cosmic Girl carrying LauncherOne during the first successful flight in January 2021.

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  LauncherOne will be launched from this former Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747, named Cosmic Girl.

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  Mojave Air and Space Port

See also

In Spanish: LauncherOne para niños