Posted:

June 30, 2021 19:15 GMT

The LauncherOne rocket has launched seven satellites for three international customers.

Virgin Orbit has launched a rocket aboard a Boeing 747 into space, marking the first appearance of this commercial service from the airline. Richard Branson.

The plane took off on June 30 from Mojave Airport in California before the missile was launched less than an hour later. single launcher With seven satellites. The mission called “Tube Bells: Part One” was transmitted For the first time directly on the US company’s website.

The missile was carrying Four small satellites For the US Department of Defense, the first military satellites From the Netherlands and the first two Earth observation satellites for a future constellation from the Polish company Saturday Revolution.

About 40 minutes after launch, the two-stage rocket put the satellites into orbit.

This was the third launch of LauncherOne, after the success proof last january and Lost carrier rocket in May 2020. Virgin Orbit plans to At least one mission This year, but in 2022, the release schedule will be even more laden, CEO Dan Hart promised reporters on Tuesday, reach the edge.

The air launch system, in which the missile starts from the wing of the aircraft, “allows to improve the payload capacity of the missile”, making the LauncherOne system “ More flexible and responsive, says the company.

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