Virgin Orbit LauncherOne (ceased)
Virgin Orbit · Reusable Launch Vehicle (Booster) · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)
LauncherOne was a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed and flown by Virgin Orbit that had operational flights from 2021 to 2023, after being in development from 2007 to 2020. It was an air-launched rocket, designed to carry smallsat payloads of up to 300 kg (660 lb) into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), following air launch from a carrier aircraft at high altitude. The rocket was carried to the upper atmosphere on a modified Boeing 747-400, named Cosmic Girl, and released over ocean. Initial work on the program was done by Virgin Galactic, another Virgin Group subsidiary, before a separate entity — Virgin Orbit — was formed in 2017 to complete development and operate the launch service provider business separately from the passenger-carrying Virgin Galactic business.
Specifications
- Category
- Space
- Sub-Category
- Launch Vehicle
- Domain
- Dual-Use
- Era
- Digital Age (2010–present)
- Country
- USA
- Manufacturer
- Virgin Orbit
- Operator
- Virgin Orbit (ceased 2023)
- Primary Role
- Reusable Launch Vehicle (Booster)
- Status
- Retired
- Service Entry
- 2021
- Engine
- Newton-3 LOX/RP-1 (1st stage) + Newton-4 (2nd stage)
- Thrust / Power
- 73,500 lbf
- Launch
- Air-launched (Boeing 747)
- Length (ft)
- 70
- Wingspan (ft)
- 5.3
- Payload (lb)
- 1102
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 500000
- Max Speed (mph)
- 17000
- Max Speed (Mach)
- 23