![]() This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Learn more at visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter and on Instagram STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rockets are designed and manufactured in Long Beach, California, and are air-launched from a modified 747-400 carrier aircraft that allows Virgin Orbit to operate from locations all over the world in order to best serve each customer’s needs. Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2017, the Company began commercial service in 2021, and has already delivered commercial, civil, national security, and international satellites into orbit. Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) operates one of the most flexible and responsive space launch systems ever built. Gareth Bethell, Chief Communications Officer ![]() ![]() Yes, space is hard, but we are only just getting started.”Īlison Patch, Senior Director of Communications (US) Not just with our ambition but also with our fortitude. Today we inspired millions, and we will continue to look to inspire millions more. Unfortunately we learned that Virgin Orbit experienced an anomaly which means we didn’t achieve a successful mission. Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, added: “We are so incredibly proud of everything we have achieved with our partners and friends across the space industry here in the UK and in the US – we made it to space – a UK first. Despite this, the project has succeeded in creating a horizontal launch capability at Spaceport Cornwall, and we remain committed to becoming the leading provider of commercial small satellite launch in Europe by 2030, with vertical launches planned from Scotland.” ![]() While this result is disappointing, launching a spacecraft always carries significant risks. We will work closely with Virgin Orbit as they investigate what caused the anomaly in the coming days and weeks. We have shown the UK is capable of launching into orbit, but the launch was not successful in reaching the required orbit. Matt Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, said: “Last night, Virgin Orbit attempted the first orbital launch from Spaceport Cornwall. We will work tirelessly to understand the nature of the failure, make corrective actions, and return to orbit as soon as we have completed a full investigation and mission assurance process.” The first-time nature of this mission added layers of complexity that our team professionally managed through however, in the end a technical failure appears to have prevented us from delivering the final orbit. Out of five LauncherOne missions carrying payloads for private companies and governmental agencies, this is the first to fall short of delivering its payloads to their precise target orbit.ĭan Hart, Virgin Orbit CEO, said: “While we are very proud of the many things that we successfully achieved as part of this mission, we are mindful that we failed to provide our customers with the launch service they deserve. The effort behind the flight brought together new partnerships and integrated collaboration from a wide range of partners , including the UK Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, the Civil Aviation Authority, the US Federal Aviation Administration, the National Reconnaissance Office, and more, and demonstrated that space launch is achievable from UK soil. Though the mission did not achieve its final orbit, by reaching space and achieving numerous significant first-time achievements, it represents an important step forward. However, at some point during the firing of the rocket’s second stage engine and with the rocket travelling at a speed of more than 11,000 miles per hour, the system experienced an anomaly, ending the mission prematurely. The flight then continued through successful stage separation and ignition of the second stage. The rocket then ignited its engines, quickly going hypersonic and successfully reaching space. NEWQUAY, UNITED KINGDOM - 10 JANUARY 2023 - The historic first attempt to launch satellites from British soil reached space late last night, but ultimately fell short of reaching its target orbit.Īfter successfully taking off from the runway at Spaceport Cornwall – which just a few weeks ago was transformed from a mere slab of empty cement at a commercial airport to the world’s newest space launch operations center – and travelling to the designated drop zone, Cosmic Girl, the customized 747 that serves as the LauncherOne system’s carrier aircraft, successfully released the rocket.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |