Virgin Orbit

[e-FTW]

Could not find a thread about the company. Launching off a 747, arguably the most beautiful plane ever made ;-), is pretty darn cool. Whether it is a competitive launch provider is a different story, but it does have some things going for it, like the ability to launch from multiple points in the world.

Today is a big day for them, as they are launching to orbit for the first time.
No stream, but updates of this orbital demo here: https://twitter.com/virgin_orbit/status/1264943677975089153?s=21

 

[e-FTW]

Scott doing his thing this past week:

 

[Cosmacelf]

They've just taken off as I write this, so we now wait...

 

[EVCollies]

Although they had a clean release, something happened, mission terminated but Cosmic Girl and crew safe and returning to base.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Thinking more about this launcher architecture. Haven’t you just introduced the risk of human life loss (747 pilots) into what is normally a human safe process?

 

[e-FTW]

Yup.
It’s like Scott called it in the video above.

The official tweet: Virgin Orbit on Twitter

 

[e-FTW]

I mean how can an av/space geek not love this visual:

Source: Virgin Orbit on Twitter

 

[Cosmacelf]

I wonder what “terminated” means? Big fireball?

 

[Fred42]

I wonder what “terminated” means? Big fireball?

No mention of extreme prejudice, so no.

 

[Cosmacelf]

No mention of extreme prejudice, so no.

Weather radar picks up debris field as analyzed by amateur meteorologists. James Hyde on Twitter

 

[Pricee2]

Possible RUD.

 

[S'toon]

Branson space rocket fails on debut flight

 

[e-FTW]

Ars: Virgin Orbit loses its first rocket shortly after engine ignition — Ars Technica

 

[e-FTW]

And from Virgin Orbit, with this awesome photo: Virgin Orbit Ignites LauncherOne Rocket During First Launch Demo, Mission Safely Terminated

 

[Cosmacelf]

I want to see the picture 1 second after that one with the huge fireball heading towards to the 747

 

[EVCollies]

Thinking more about this launcher architecture. Haven’t you just introduced the risk of human life loss (747 pilots) into what is normally a human safe process?

And according to their Twitter feed, they had 2-4 engineers on board.

 

[Electroman]

How much is this different than Air borne missile launchers?

 

[Cosmacelf]

How much is this different than Air borne missile launchers?

I believe missiles use solid propellant, which is less volatile and finicky than cryogenic liquids. For instance, Virgin Galactic’s tourist rocket ship uses solid propellant.

 

[e-FTW]

I will go out out on a limb and say that the 747 has enough clearance to deal with a RUD from the rocket before they light it up.
This is based on 0 actual knowledge.

 

[ggr]

I believe missiles use solid propellant, which is less volatile and finicky than cryogenic liquids. For instance, Virgin Galactic’s tourist rocket ship uses solid propellant.

SpaceShip2 (Virgin Galactic’s tourist rocket ship) uses a hybrid rocket, solid fuel with a hole down the middle, and LOX for oxidizer. This is so it can be throttled and (theoretically, although I don't think it's been demonstrated) stopped and restarted.