Virgin Orbit made it! The mission simply called Launch Demo 2 was successful and managed to enter Low Earth Orbit (LEO) some CubeSats launching a rocket that was hooked under the wing of a Boeing 747 – 400 ! This is not a new idea in an absolute sense and resumes, albeit with different mission profiles, what Virgin Galactic does or in the future they can do Aevum or even ESA.

Virgin Orbit successfully launches the rocket

As written, unlike other systems launch, in this case an airplane that takes off is used “traditionally” to bring a rocket to high altitudes and then allow it to enter Space. This should allow to reduce overall costs, reduce possible inconveniences due to larger rockets and simplify the project (after all, some of the work is done by a substantially conventional aircraft).

The Boeing 747 – 400 used by Virgin Orbit has code name Cosmic Girl and was delivered in 2001. Also in the same year he made his first flight as an airliner. It was later readjusted to its new rocket launch support task after completing ben 1045 traditional flights. One of the positive features of this approach is that you just need a runway capable of accommodating the Boeing, and potentially it is possible to launch a rocket.

Launcher One (the rocket) is instead a rocket of 21 meters long with a first stage motor of 334 kN running for 3 minutes. The second stage ran for over 9 minutes (although it typically could run for 6 minutes) with a push of 22 kN. The cargo to be sent into orbit can reach 500 kg while the whole system has a weight of just under 26 tons. To contain the overall weight, the rocket is made of composite materials and carbon fiber.

Inside the fairing have found a place 01 CubeSat forming part of 9 missions overall (with the support of NASA ), as a mission includes two satellites. This kind of launch is not meant for large and heavy satellites, but it could allow more and more realities to send a satellite into orbit.

Our favorite rocket is orbiting our favorite planet! No sweeter feeling. pic.twitter.com/bIPmUMW90

– Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) January 18, 2021

Today’s sequence of events for # LaunchDemo2 went exactly to plan, from safe execution of our ground ops all the way through successful full duration burns on both engines. To say we’re thrilled would be a massive understatement, but 26 characters couldn’t do it justice anyway. pic.twitter.com/ZKpoi7hkGN

?? Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) January 08, 2021

Unfortunately, unlike other companies (such as SpaceX), there is no official streaming but only a live stream via tweet . However, some images of an internal streaming have been leaked that allowed us to see some shots during the mission. In the future, however, the possibility of having official streaming is not excluded. Space is becoming more and more accessible, with all the possibilities (and risks) of the case.

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