Virgin Orbit facts for kids

Virgin Orbit was a company that aimed to launch small satellites into space. It was part of the Virgin Group, a large group of companies founded by Richard Branson. Virgin Orbit was created in 2017. Its main goal was to build a special rocket called LauncherOne. This rocket was unique because it was launched from an airplane high in the sky, instead of from the ground.

What is Virgin Orbit?

Virgin Orbit was a company focused on space. Its main job was to help put small satellites into orbit around Earth. Satellites are important for many things, like weather forecasting, GPS navigation, and even connecting people with the internet.

How Did LauncherOne Work?

LauncherOne was the rocket designed by Virgin Orbit. Unlike most rockets that launch from a launchpad on the ground, LauncherOne was carried high into the sky by a special airplane. This airplane was a modified Boeing 747 named "Cosmic Girl."

• Step 1: Takeoff: The Cosmic Girl airplane would take off from a runway with the LauncherOne rocket attached underneath its wing.
• Step 2: High Altitude Launch: The plane would fly to a very high altitude, about 35,000 feet (around 10,700 meters).
• Step 3: Rocket Release: Once at the correct height and speed, the LauncherOne rocket would be released from the airplane.
• Step 4: Ignition and Orbit: After a few seconds, the rocket's engines would ignite, pushing it the rest of the way into space to deliver its satellite cargo into orbit.

This method was designed to be more flexible and potentially less expensive than traditional ground launches. It meant rockets could be launched from different locations around the world, as long as there was a suitable runway for the airplane.

Early Missions and Challenges

Virgin Orbit made its first attempt to reach space on May 25, 2020. This first try did not succeed. The company continued to work hard and learn from each attempt. They tried again later that year, and in January 2021, they successfully launched their first satellites into orbit. This was a big step for the company, showing that their unique launch method could work.

Why Launch from an Airplane?

Launching rockets from an airplane has several benefits:

• Flexibility: It allows launches to happen from many different places, not just fixed launchpads.
• Weather: The airplane can fly above bad weather, which can often delay ground launches.
• Fuel Savings: The rocket starts its journey already high in the atmosphere and moving fast, saving some fuel compared to launching from the ground.

The End of Virgin Orbit

Despite some successful missions, Virgin Orbit faced financial challenges. In April 2023, the company stopped its operations and filed for bankruptcy. This meant they could no longer continue their work of launching satellites. Many of their assets, like the Cosmic Girl airplane and other equipment, were sold off to other space companies.

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  A robot illustration.