Read on Twitter
Today April 24 2020 Virgin Orbit will be preforming its first orbital test for its rocket LauncherOne.
The test will be performed off the coast of Southern California. The launch window opens 17:00 UTC for 4 hours. (Backup day tomorrow)
*Thread 1/8*
Credit: Virgin Orbit
The test will be performed off the coast of Southern California. The launch window opens 17:00 UTC for 4 hours. (Backup day tomorrow)
*Thread 1/8*
Credit: Virgin Orbit
The name of the aircraft is “Cosmic Girl” which is a customised Boeing 747-400 that flew for Virgin Atlantic & was purchased by Virgin Galactic in 2015.
According to Virgin Orbit Cosmic Girl “is the world’s most reusable launch stage and requires minimal maintenance.”
2/8
According to Virgin Orbit Cosmic Girl “is the world’s most reusable launch stage and requires minimal maintenance.”
2/8
The 2 stage ~21m LauncherOne expendable rocket is an all-carbon composite design including the linerless tanks that is all built by Virgin Orbit.
It can deliver a ~300 kg payload into orbit & sits under the left wing of Cosmic Girl when attached.
3/8
Credit: Virgin Orbit
It can deliver a ~300 kg payload into orbit & sits under the left wing of Cosmic Girl when attached.
3/8
Credit: Virgin Orbit
LauncherOne is placed under the left wing because that’s where a spare engine can be transported in the original Boeing 747-400 design.
It saves cost if engines need to be transported from place to place.
This of course had to be customised for the rocket.
4/8
It saves cost if engines need to be transported from place to place.
This of course had to be customised for the rocket.
4/8
The basic process is Cosmic Girl flys onto a climb angle of more than 25° to 35000 feet.
A pull-up maneuver will then be performed at this altitude where LauncherOne will then be released.
After 5 seconds it ignites beginning its climb to orbit.
5/8
Credit: Virgin Orbit
A pull-up maneuver will then be performed at this altitude where LauncherOne will then be released.
After 5 seconds it ignites beginning its climb to orbit.
5/8
Credit: Virgin Orbit
The NewtonThree 1st-stage engine of LauncherOne burns for 3 minutes.
NewtonFour 2nd stage engine burns for 6 minutes with multiple burns.
It can place payloads into high medium & low inclination orbits.
More info on LauncherOne
https://virginorbit.com/technology/
6/8
Cr.: Virgin Orbit
NewtonFour 2nd stage engine burns for 6 minutes with multiple burns.
It can place payloads into high medium & low inclination orbits.
More info on LauncherOne
https://virginorbit.com/technology/ 6/8
Cr.: Virgin Orbit
Now to today’s test.
Cosmic Girl will takeoff from Mojave fly west then south over the Channel Islands.
Over the Pacific it will fly in a racetrack pattern before releasing the rocket in its SE flight path ~50 mins after takeoff.
7/8
Cr: Virgin Orbit
Cosmic Girl will takeoff from Mojave fly west then south over the Channel Islands.
Over the Pacific it will fly in a racetrack pattern before releasing the rocket in its SE flight path ~50 mins after takeoff.
7/8
Cr: Virgin Orbit
Overall my thoughts are I’m impressed with the potential Virgin Orbit has. It’s been very interesting to learn more about.
BTW if you have the Jamiroquai “Cosmic Girl” stuck in your head... good!!! It’s been stuck in my head all day putting this together.
8/8
BTW if you have the Jamiroquai “Cosmic Girl” stuck in your head... good!!! It’s been stuck in my head all day putting this together.
8/8
*Credit for image on 2/8: Virgin Orbit.*
