California, Jan 19: Virgin Orbit launched its Launcher One rocket to orbit for the first time. It carried 10 satellites (on behalf of NASA) and delivered them successfully to low-Earth orbit. Boeing 747 aircraft, nicknamed ‘Cosmic Girl’, climbed to a cruising altitude to release the rocket, which then ignited its own engines and flew the rest of the way to space. Virgin Orbit’s launch model was designed to reduce the barriers to carrying small payloads to orbit versus traditional vertical takeoff vehicles. Virgin executives say high- altitude launches allow satellites to be placed in their intended orbit more efficiently and also minimize weather-related cancellations.
