LauncherOne

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<a href="/facts/Virgin_Galactic/BrJavxml">Virgin Galactic</a> began working on the LauncherOne concept in 2007,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> and the technical specifications were first described in some detail in late 2009.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> The LauncherOne configuration was proposed to be an expendable, two-stage, liquid-fueled rocket <a href="/facts/Air_launch_to_orbit/qcIHcrfo">air-launched</a> from a <a href="/facts/White_Knight_Two/yLNJmmH8">White Knight Two</a> carrier aircraft.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a> This would make it a similar configuration to that used by <a href="/facts/Orbital_Sciences/WNB0SKlF">Orbital Sciences</a>' <a href="/facts/Northrop_Grumman_Pegasus/w8swDwhu">Pegasus</a>, or a smaller version of the <a href="/facts/Scaled_Composites_Stratolaunch/jHD2hrFL">StratoLaunch</a> air-launched rocket system.
By 2012, several <a href="/facts/Private_spaceflight/9rSz8Lhh">commercial</a> customers had signed early contracts for launches signaling <a href="/facts/Demand_(economics)/mtb1m6F0">demand-side</a> support for new small commercial-oriented <a href="/facts/Launch_vehicle/g1GCGFJB">launch vehicles</a>. These included GeoOptics, <a href="/facts/Skybox_Imaging/7WITWE4c">Skybox Imaging</a>, <a href="/facts/Spaceflight_Industries/9BpBbvty">Spaceflight Services</a>, and <a href="/facts/Planetary_Resources/QoA54et8">Planetary Resources</a>. Both <a href="/facts/Surrey_Satellite_Technology/zW8Gbz1B">Surrey Satellite Technology</a> and <a href="/facts/Sierra_Nevada_Corporation/e1HRGsMP">Sierra Nevada Space Systems</a> were at the time reported to be developing <a href="/facts/Satellite_bus/UMlFYAUY">satellite buses</a> "optimized to the design of LauncherOne".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a> In October 2012, Virgin announced that LauncherOne would be designed so that it could place 200 kg (440 lb) in <a href="/facts/Sun-synchronous_orbit/3HonupUd">Sun-synchronous orbit</a> (SSO).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> Virgin planned at the time to market the 200 kg (440 lb) payload delivery to Sun-synchronous orbit for under US$10 million per mission,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a> while the maximum payload for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions would be somewhat larger at 500 kg (1,100 lb).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a>
Under plans announced in 2012, the second stage was to be powered by NewtonOne, a 16 kN (3,600 lbf) thrust engine, and the first stage by a scaled-up version called NewtonTwo, with 211 kN (47,000 lbf) of thrust. Design and construction of the first engines was completed by 2014. NewtonOne was tested up to a full-duration burn of five minutes. NewtonTwo made several short-duration firings by early 2014.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> Ultimately, however, neither NewtonOne nor NewtonTwo would be used on LauncherOne.
In 2015, Virgin Galactic established a 14,000 m2 (150,000 sq ft) research, development, and manufacturing center for LauncherOne at <a href="/facts/Long_Beach_Airport/M2YbTwdH">Long Beach Airport</a>, <a href="/facts/California/zLW2vdQJ">California</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> The company reported in March 2015, that they were on schedule to begin test flights of LauncherOne with its NewtonThree engine by the end of 2016,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> but they did not achieve that objective.
On 25 June 2015, the company signed a contract with <a href="/facts/OneWeb/EWEtjggY">OneWeb Ltd.</a> for 39 satellite launches for its <a href="/facts/OneWeb_satellite_constellation/IcBBHSyP">satellite constellation</a> with an option for an additional 100 launches,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> but in 2018 OneWeb canceled all but four, prompting a lawsuit from Virgin Orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> OneWeb filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a>
News reports in September 2015 indicated that the heavier payload of 200 kg (440 lb) was to be achieved by longer fuel tanks and use of the recently qualified NewtonThree engine, but this also meant that the Virgin-developed carrier aircraft <a href="/facts/Scaled_Composites_White_Knight_Two/yLNJmmH8">White Knight Two</a> would no longer be able to lift the rocket to launch altitude, so in December 2015, Virgin announced a change to the carrier plane for LauncherOne to carry the heavier payload. The carrier aircraft subsequently was changed to a used Boeing 747-400,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> Cosmic Girl, previously operated by Virgin Galactic's sister company, Virgin Atlantic, and purchased outright by Virgin Group from <a href="/facts/Boeing/tF5sMe9F">Boeing</a> upon the expiration of that airframe's lease. The 747 will allow a larger LauncherOne to carry the heavier payloads. The modification work on the company's 747 was expected to be completed in 2016, to be followed by <a href="/facts/Orbital_spaceflight/xdzKmkvt">orbital</a> test launches of the rocket in 2017.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a>
It was further announced in December 2015 that the revised LauncherOne would utilize the larger NewtonThree rocket engine on the booster stage, with the NewtonFour powering the <a href="/facts/Multistage_rocket/WNrmgztj">second stage</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a> NewtonThree was to be a 260–335 kN (58,000–75,000 lbf)-thrust engine, and began hot-fire testing by March 2015.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a> The NewtonFour engine would power the second stage. NewtonThree generate 326.8 kN (73,500 lbf) of thrust while NewtonFour deliver 26.5 kN (6,000 lbf) to the second stage and is capable of multiple restarts.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a>
On 2 March 2017, Virgin Galactic announced that its 200-member LauncherOne team was being spun off into a new company called <a href="/facts/Virgin_Orbit/hKsGXm31">Virgin Orbit</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a> A subsidiary company of Virgin Orbit called Vox Space was created to carry out business which require strict security requirements.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a> As of 2017, the company planned to fly approximately twice a month by 2020.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a>
In September 2017, the first test flights of LauncherOne were delayed to 2018.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a> By June 2018, the Virgin Orbit captive carry <a href="/facts/Flight_test/uyrUsN4M">flight testing</a> campaign for LauncherOne, including a planned <a href="/facts/Drop_test/W4YFVaqF">drop test</a> of an unfueled rocket, was licensed to begin in July 2018, and could run for up to six months.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a>
In the event, no LauncherOne test flights occurred in 2018 and were delayed further, to December 2019, with only the carrier aircraft beginning to fly in 2018. The first three test flights of Cosmic Girl, including the pylon but not the rocket, happened on 23, 25 and 27 August 2018.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35">35</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36">36</a> A high-speed taxi test, with a rocket mounted beneath the aircraft, took place in early November 2018.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37">37</a> The aircraft flew its first test flight with both pylon and rocket attached on 18 November 2018.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38">38</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39">39</a>
Virgin Orbit announced many upgrade and expansion plans that were not finished, such as a 3 stages variant.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40">40</a> On 17 March 2022 Polish Space Agency and Virgin Orbit signed an agreement to use LauncherOne as means to send satellites into orbit, with its first launch from Poland planned for 2023.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41">41</a>
Its parent, <a href="/facts/Virgin_Orbit/hKsGXm31">Virgin Orbit</a>, declared <a href="/facts/Chapter_11_bankruptcy/PjdCBWfn">Chapter 11 bankruptcy</a> on April 4, 2023.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42">42</a>

<h3>Flights</h3>

The maiden flight of LauncherOne took place on 25 May 2020. The flight failed a few seconds after the ignition of the rocket due to a premature shutdown of the first stage engine, caused by a break in a propellant feed line,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43">43</a> and the rocket did not reach space. The launch failure was attributed to a failure of a high-pressure <a href="/facts/Liquid_oxygen/qnI0KDTb">liquid oxygen</a> <a href="/facts/Fuel_line/9gLUtGNR">fuel line</a> in the NewtonThree engine. Due to the failure, oxygen was no longer supplied to the engine and the flight was terminated. The issue with the fuel line was addressed by strengthening the broken components.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44">44</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45">45</a>
The second launch took place on 17 January 2021, and was the first to successfully reach orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46">46</a> The rocket deployed 10 <a href="/facts/CubeSat/jL2IpYKd">CubeSats</a> for NASA's <a href="/facts/Educational_Launch_of_Nanosatellites/XHoXDHez">Educational Launch of Nanosatellites</a> mission (ELaNa 20).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47">47</a> Cosmic Girl took off from <a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a> in <a href="/facts/California/zLW2vdQJ">California</a> at 18:38 <a href="/facts/Coordinated_Universal_Time/2EnjfSyu">UTC</a>. The aircraft launched the LauncherOne rocket at 19:39 UTC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48">48</a> The launch occurred at the altitude of 10,700 m (35,100 ft).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:49" href="#fn:49">49</a> On 17 January 2021, both NewtonThree and NewtonFour performed as expected.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:50" href="#fn:50">50</a> During launch, NewtonFour fired twice; once to inject the second stage and the payloads into a transfer orbit, and again to circularize the orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:51" href="#fn:51">51</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:52" href="#fn:52">52</a> 
On 9 January 2023, the first UK launch and final launch for the rocket took place, but it was unsuccessful.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:53" href="#fn:53">53</a> A filter within the second stage fuel feedline dislodged resulting in fuel pump inefficiency and lower flow of fuel to the NetwonFour engine. The reduced fuel flow caused the engine to operate at temperatures higher than expected resulting in damage to nearby components and subsequent early shutdown. Vehicle did not have enough velocity to make orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:54" href="#fn:54">54</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:55" href="#fn:55">55</a>

<h2 id="design">Design</h2>

LauncherOne is a two-stage air-launched vehicle. The rocket had a diameter of 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) for the first stage and 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) for the second stage and payload fairing.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:56" href="#fn:56">56</a>
On the 24th of October 2019, the company announced plans to develop a three-stage variant that would be capable of launching 100 kg (220 lb) to the <a href="/facts/Moon/zKHqEMPb">Moon</a>, 70 kg (150 lb) to <a href="/facts/Venus/pADnueP6">Venus</a>, or 50 kg (110 lb) to <a href="/facts/Mars/AQGtVvz0">Mars</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:57" href="#fn:57">57</a>

<h3>Engines</h3>
LauncherOne is a two-stage air-launched vehicle using Newton engines, <a href="/facts/RP-1/wDI7vNdu">RP-1</a>/<a href="/facts/Liquid_oxygen/qnI0KDTb">LOX</a> <a href="/facts/Liquid-propellant_rocket/TAonrVDn">liquid rocket engines</a>. The second stage was to be powered by NewtonOne, a 211 kN (47,000 lbf) thrust engine. It was originally intended that the first stage will be powered by a scaled-up design of the same basic technology as NewtonOne, called NewtonTwo, with 211.5 kN (47,500 lbf) of thrust. Both engines had been designed, and as of January 2014 first articles were built. NewtonOne was tested up to a full-duration burn of five minutes. NewtonTwo made several short-duration firings by early 2014.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:58" href="#fn:58">58</a>
NewtonThree is a 260–335 kN (58,000–75,000 lbf)-thrust engine, and began hot-fire tests as of March 2015. NewtonThree powered the first stage of LauncherOne.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:59" href="#fn:59">59</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:60" href="#fn:60">60</a>

<h3>2015 redesign: new engines, larger payloads, new carrier aircraft</h3>

News reports in September 2015 indicated that the higher payload is to be achieved by longer fuel tanks and the NewtonThree engine but this will mean that White Knight Two would no longer be able to lift it to launch altitude. The rocket was to be carried to launch altitude by a Boeing 747.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:61" href="#fn:61">61</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:62" href="#fn:62">62</a> The revised LauncherOne utilizes both the Newton 3 and Newton 4 rocket engines.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:63" href="#fn:63">63</a>
In December 2015, Virgin announced a change to the carrier plane for LauncherOne, as well as a substantially-larger design point for the rocket itself. The carrier aircraft will now be a <a href="/facts/Boeing_747/jHjLqpbr">Boeing 747</a>, which will in turn allow a larger LauncherOne to carry heavier payloads than previously planned. The modification work on the particular Boeing 747 that Virgin has purchased is expected to be completed in 2016, to be followed by Orbital test launches of the rocket in 2017.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:64" href="#fn:64">64</a>

<h2 id="intended-usage">Intended usage</h2>
LauncherOne is designed to launch a 300 kg (660 lb) payload to a 500 km (310 mi) <a href="/facts/Sun-synchronous_orbit/3HonupUd">Sun-synchronous orbit</a> (SSO), suitable for <a href="/facts/CubeSat/jL2IpYKd">CubeSats</a> and <a href="/facts/Small_satellite/vXN5EwvX">small payloads</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:65" href="#fn:65">65</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:66" href="#fn:66">66</a> Virgin Orbit has also announced the ability of LauncherOne to send payloads into <a href="/facts/Heliocentric_orbit/b4zMv2jE">heliocentric orbit</a> for flybys of Mars, Venus or <a href="/facts/Asteroid/g7Ulr1VB">asteroids</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:67" href="#fn:67">67</a>

<h2 id="launch-sites">Launch sites</h2>

Virgin Orbit integrated payloads at their headquarters in <a href="/facts/Long_Beach%2c_California/rcmxRIXv">Long Beach, California</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:68" href="#fn:68">68</a>
LauncherOne launched from the Cosmic Girl Boeing 747-400 carrier, attached to a pylon on the aircraft's left wing, and released over the ocean at a location depending on the desired orbital inclination. This process avoids typical delays for ground launches due to weather and upper-level winds.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:69" href="#fn:69">69</a> <a href="/facts/William_Pomerantz/zucFsAxS">William Pomerantz</a> of Virgin Orbit stated that any airport that can support a Boeing 747 could have been used, subject to local legislation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:70" href="#fn:70">70</a>
The carrier plane lifted off from the <a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a> in <a href="/facts/California/zLW2vdQJ">California</a>, <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a> and <a href="/facts/Newquay_Airport/WsWGbq3b">Newquay Airport</a> in <a href="/facts/Cornwall/9A3TftFP">Cornwall</a>, <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">United Kingdom</a>. The company also had plans to use other airports such as <a href="/facts/Kennedy_Space_Center/zmwszuPr">Kennedy Space Center</a> in <a href="/facts/Florida/cF245A3Q">Florida</a> and <a href="/facts/Alc%25C3%25A2ntara_Space_Center/KwdSecyn">Alcântara Space Center</a> in <a href="/facts/Brazil/QHkG46GL">Brazil</a> that never materialized. Other proposed launch sites included <a href="/facts/Ellison_Onizuka_Kona_International_Airport/vHLp7eyf">Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport</a> in <a href="/facts/Hawaii/ImxFefeK">Hawaii</a>, <a href="/facts/Jos%25C3%25A9_Aponte_de_la_Torre_Airport/doMlPAfY">José Aponte de la Torre Airport</a> in <a href="/facts/Puerto_Rico/jVStMyG4">Puerto Rico</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:71" href="#fn:71">71</a> <a href="/facts/Oita_Airport/hsr4rPHL">Oita Airport</a> in <a href="/facts/Japan/U5mz0SRT">Japan</a>, <a href="/facts/Andersen_Air_Force_Base/tBhX08rx">Andersen Air Force Base</a> in <a href="/facts/Guam/YIxcmN6A">Guam</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:72" href="#fn:72">72</a> and <a href="/facts/Toowoomba_Wellcamp_Airport/oWastUAL">Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport</a> in <a href="/facts/Australia/qLHpbppq">Australia</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:73" href="#fn:73">73</a>

<h2 id="past-launches">Past launches</h2>
<table><tbody><tr><th>Flight no.</th><th>Date and time(<a href="/facts/UTC/2EnjfSyu">UTC</a>)</th><th>Launch site</th><th>Payload</th><th>Orbit</th><th>Customer</th><th>Outcome</th></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">1</th><td rowspan="2">25 May 202019:50<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:74" href="#fn:74">74</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>Launch Demo with "inert test payload" (<a href="/facts/STARSHINE_(satellite)/URur6spW">Starshine 4</a>) and INTERNSAT (intended to remain attached to the upper stage).</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Virgin_Orbit/hKsGXm31">Virgin Orbit</a></td><td>Failure</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><a href="/facts/Flight_test/uyrUsN4M">Flight test</a>, maiden orbital flight. Launch failure after successful release and ignition of the NewtonThree engines on the first stage. A high-pressure propellant line broke causing liquid oxygen to stop flowing into the engine. Issue was addressed through strengthening engine components that broke.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:75" href="#fn:75">75</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:76" href="#fn:76">76</a> Prior to failure aerodynamics including fins acted as expected.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:77" href="#fn:77">77</a></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">2</th><td rowspan="2">17 January 202119:38:51<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:78" href="#fn:78">78</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:79" href="#fn:79">79</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Educational_Launch_of_Nanosatellites/XHoXDHez">ELaNa 20</a> payloads: CACTUS-1, CAPE-3, EXOCUBE-2, MiTEE, PICS 1, PICS 2, PolarCube, <a href="/facts/Q-PACE/WFKjmSFR">Q-PACE</a>, RadFXSat-2, <a href="/facts/TechEdSat/AN2UQpSv">TechEdSat-7</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:80" href="#fn:80">80</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a></td><td>Success</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Dedicated launch of 10 <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a> sponsored CubeSats. First successful launch of LauncherOne and the first fully liquid-fueled air-launched rocket to reach orbit.</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">3</th><td rowspan="2">30 June 202114:47<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:81" href="#fn:81">81</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-27VPA, <a href="/facts/Brik-II_(satellite)/c1K78cqD">BRIK-II</a>, STORK-4, STORK-5 (MARTA)</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Missile_Defense_Agency/WjXAD9m7">MDA</a>, <a href="/facts/United_States_Army_Space_and_Missile_Defense_Command/aQ1ybsJK">USA SMDC</a>, <a href="/facts/United_States_Navy/xYK0fUou">U.S. Navy</a>, <a href="/facts/Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force/ucC7edHw">RNLAF</a>, <a href="/facts/SatRevolution/2CeasS8n">SatRevolution</a></td><td>Success</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Tubular Bells, Part One mission.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:82" href="#fn:82">82</a> STP-27VPA is composed of four military CubeSats: Gunsmoke-J 3, HALO-Net Free Flyer, and two CNCE Blk 1 satellites.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:83" href="#fn:83">83</a></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">4</th><td rowspan="2">13 January 202222:51:39<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:84" href="#fn:84">84</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-27VPB (PAN-A and B, GEARRS-3, <a href="/facts/TechEdSat/AN2UQpSv">TechEdSat-13</a>), SteamSat-2, STORK-3, ADLER-1 (<a href="/facts/Lemur-2/DQpgMngs">Lemur-2</a> Krywe).</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_Orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/United_States_Department_of_Defense/dWAvf7e3">Department of Defense</a>, <a href="/facts/NASA/TIMCV0yV">NASA</a>, SteamJet Space Systems, <a href="/facts/SatRevolution/2CeasS8n">SatRevolution</a>, <a href="/facts/Austrian_Space_Forum/5xAzCVwH">Austrian Space Forum</a></td><td>Success</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Above the Clouds mission. <a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-27VPB mission for the <a href="/facts/Defense_Innovation_Unit/1DYdUVKY">Defense Innovation Unit</a> is composed of four CubeSats: PAN-A/B (<a href="/facts/Educational_Launch_of_Nanosatellites/XHoXDHez">ELaNa</a> 29 mission), GEARRS-3, and TechEdSat-13.</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">5</th><td rowspan="2">2 July 202206:53<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:85" href="#fn:85">85</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:86" href="#fn:86">86</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>CTIM-FD, GPX-2, Gunsmoke-L (Lonestar) × 2, MISR-B, NACHOS-2, Recurve, Slingshot-1</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/United_States_Space_Force/bWlsxC5D">U.S. Space Force</a>, <a href="/facts/Department_of_National_Defence_(Canada)/LPMp12bk">DND</a>, <a href="/facts/CU_Boulder/SzsmJFb7">CU Boulder</a>, <a href="/facts/Langley_Research_Center/UrNAPV7g">Langley Research Center</a></td><td>Success</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Straight Up mission. <a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-S28A mission for the <a href="/facts/United_States_Space_Force/bWlsxC5D">U.S. Space Force</a>, consisting of 7 satellites. The <a href="/facts/Educational_Launch_of_Nanosatellites/XHoXDHez">ELaNa</a> 39 mission, consisting of two CubeSats,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:87" href="#fn:87">87</a> was launched on this flight.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:88" href="#fn:88">88</a> Virgin Orbit's first nighttime launch.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:89" href="#fn:89">89</a></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">6</th><td rowspan="2">9 January 202323:08:49<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:90" href="#fn:90">90</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:91" href="#fn:91">91</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Spaceport_Cornwall/WsWGbq3b">Spaceport Cornwall</a></td><td>AMAN, CIRCE A & B, DOVER, ForgeStar-0, IOD-3 Amber, Prometheus 2A & 2B, STORK-6</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td>ETCO, <a href="/facts/Defence_Science_and_Technology_Laboratory/dIsp3UsK">Dstl</a> / <a href="/facts/United_States_Naval_Research_Laboratory/brXxYx34">NRL</a>, RHEA Group, <a href="/facts/Space_Forge/WmYW2gnE">Space Forge</a>, Satellite Applications Catapult, <a href="/facts/UK_Ministry_of_Defence/9TG9a0ss">UK Ministry of Defence</a> / <a href="/facts/National_Reconnaissance_Office/Rnh04L8L">NRO</a>, <a href="/facts/SatRevolution/2CeasS8n">SatRevolution</a></td><td>Failure</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5">Start Me Up mission. First LauncherOne flight from Spaceport Cornwall. The rocket suffered an issue during second stage burn and did not reach orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:92" href="#fn:92">92</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="not-materialized-launches">Not materialized launches</h2>
<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">Flight no.</th><th scope="col">Date and time(<a href="/facts/UTC/2EnjfSyu">UTC</a>)</th><th scope="col">Launch site</th><th scope="col">Payload</th><th scope="col">Orbit</th><th scope="col">Customer</th><th scope="col">Note</th></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">7</th><td rowspan="2">2023<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:93" href="#fn:93">93</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>QPS-SAR-5</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/IQPS/X5TsdoJy">iQPS</a></td><td>Launched on Rocket Lab Electron</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Moved to <a href="/facts/Rocket_Lab/o5Wlgg6P">Rocket Lab</a>'s <a href="/facts/Rocket_Lab_Electron/wmMhl3aA">Electron</a> rocket.</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><td rowspan="2">2023<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:94" href="#fn:94">94</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>Athena & <a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-S28C payloads</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/U.S._Air_Force/7MxWBYlc">U.S. Air Force</a>, <a href="/facts/NovaWurks/bxEgF5PB">NovaWurks</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-S28C mission.</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><td rowspan="2">2023<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:95" href="#fn:95">95</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/U.S._Air_Force/7MxWBYlc">U.S. Air Force</a>, <a href="/facts/CU_Boulder/SzsmJFb7">CU Boulder</a>, <a href="/facts/The_Aerospace_Corporation/Thz1oDIY">The Aerospace Corporation</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><a href="/facts/Space_Test_Program/2El3p9sv">STP</a>-S28B mission.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:96" href="#fn:96">96</a> The ELaNa-46 mission, consisting of three CubeSats, will launch on this flight.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:97" href="#fn:97">97</a></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><td rowspan="2">2023<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:98" href="#fn:98">98</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:99" href="#fn:99">99</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>HYPERSAT 1</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td>HyperSat</td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">First of six launches contracted to Virgin Orbit for HyperSat's <a href="/facts/Hyperspectral_imaging/3NsxsAeL">hyperspectral</a> satellite constellation.</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><td rowspan="2">2023<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:100" href="#fn:100">100</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>NorthStar × 3</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td>NorthStar</td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><td rowspan="2">2023<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:101" href="#fn:101">101</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>Lemur-2 × ?</td><td><a href="/facts/Low_Earth_orbit/rq1TwayJ">Low Earth</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Spire_Global/DQpgMngs">Spire Global</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">First of multiple launches contracted to Virgin Orbit for <a href="/facts/Spire_Global/DQpgMngs">Spire Global</a>.</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><td rowspan="2"><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:102" href="#fn:102">102</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:103" href="#fn:103">103</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:104" href="#fn:104">104</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave Air and Space Port</a></td><td>SatRevolution Mars mission</td><td><a href="/facts/Areocentric_orbit/PPVyd4u7">Areocentric</a></td><td><a href="/facts/SatRevolution/2CeasS8n">SatRevolution</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Commercial <a href="/facts/Smallsat/vXN5EwvX">smallsat</a> mission to <a href="/facts/Mars/AQGtVvz0">Mars</a>, using the Exploration 3-Stage Variant of LauncherOne.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="launch-statistics">Launch statistics</h2>

<table><tbody><tr><td><h3>Launch outcomes</h3>122020202120222023<ul><li>  Failure</li><li>  Success</li></ul></td><td><h3>Launch sites</h3>122020202120222023<ul><li>  <a href="/facts/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port/BRUofdUg">Mojave</a></li><li>  <a href="/facts/Spaceport_Cornwall/WsWGbq3b">Cornwall</a></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li>Spaceflight portal</li></ul>

Wikimedia Commons has media related to LauncherOne.

<ul><li><a href="/facts/NOTS-EV-1_Pilot/YVyB9XEw">NOTS-EV-1 Pilot</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Pegasus_(rocket)/w8swDwhu">Pegasus (rocket)</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/StratoLaunch/aURjyBKv">StratoLaunch</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190319211045/https://virginorbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Virgin-Orbit-Service-Guide.pdf">"LauncherOne Service Guide"</a> (PDF). Version 1.1. Virgin Orbit. August 2018. 18-S-1862. Archived from <a href="https://virginorbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Virgin-Orbit-Service-Guide.pdf">the original</a> (PDF) on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005514/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5915eeab9de4bb10e36a9eac/t/598882d003596ea150e8f3aa/1502118612306/service-guide.pdf">"LauncherOne Service Guide"</a> (PDF). Version 1.0. Virgin Orbit. 7 August 2017. 17-S-2156. Archived from <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5915eeab9de4bb10e36a9eac/t/598882d003596ea150e8f3aa/1502118612306/service-guide.pdf">the original</a> (PDF) on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit/status/1350960438444511232">Release and ignition of LauncherOne on its first orbital flight</a>, video, 17 January 2021.</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">"Launcherone Service Guide" (PDF). virginorbit.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210507125828/https://virginorbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/LauncherOne-Service-Guide-August-2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20210507125828/https://virginorbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/LauncherOne-Service-Guide-August-2020.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Christian Davenport (17 January 2021). "Virgin Orbit rocket reaches Earth orbit, adding an entrant to the commercial space race". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/17/richard-branson-virgin-orbit-launch-success/" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/17/richard-branson-virgin-orbit-launch-success/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"Virgin Orbits air-launched rocket fails on first test flight". Spaceflight Now. 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2020. <a href="https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/25/virgin-orbits-air-launched-rocket-fails-on-first-test-flight/" target="_blank">https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/05/25/virgin-orbits-air-launched-rocket-fails-on-first-test-flight/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Thomas Burghardt (17 January 2021). "LauncherOne reaches orbit on second attempt with NASA CubeSats". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021. <a href="https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/launcherone-second-attempt-nasa-cubesats/" target="_blank">https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/launcherone-second-attempt-nasa-cubesats/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Daniel Oberhaus (17 January 2021). "Virgin Orbit Just Launched a Rocket From a 747". Wired (magazine). Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021. <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/virgin-orbit-just-launched-a-rocket-from-a-747/" target="_blank">https://www.wired.com/story/virgin-orbit-just-launched-a-rocket-from-a-747/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Sheetz, Michael (23 May 2023). "Virgin Orbit sells assets in bankruptcy auction to Rocket Lab, Stratolaunch and Vast's Launcher". CNBC. Retrieved 23 May 2023. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/virgin-orbit-bankruptcy-sale-rocket-lab-stratolaunch-vasts-launcher.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/virgin-orbit-bankruptcy-sale-rocket-lab-stratolaunch-vasts-launcher.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Virgin Galactic [@virgingalactic] (2 March 2017). "Our #LauncherOne program has come a long way since we began it in earnest in 2012 (even further since we first dreamt up the idea in 2007)!" (Tweet) – via Twitter. <a href="https://x.com/virgingalactic/status/837274024635850753" target="_blank">https://x.com/virgingalactic/status/837274024635850753</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Amos, Jonathan (10 November 2009). "LauncherOne: Virgin Galactic's other project". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2012. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2009/11/launcherone-virgins-galactics.shtml" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2009/11/launcherone-virgins-galactics.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Rob Coppinger (11 July 2012). "Virgin Galactic Unveils LauncherOne Rocket for Private Satellite Launches". space.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015. <a href="http://www.space.com/16530-virgin-galactic-satellite-launches-launcherone.html" target="_blank">http://www.space.com/16530-virgin-galactic-satellite-launches-launcherone.html</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">"Virgin Galactic relaunches its smallsat launch business". NewSpace Journal. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012. <a href="http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/07/11/virgin-galactic-relaunches-its-smallsat-launch-business/" target="_blank">http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/07/11/virgin-galactic-relaunches-its-smallsat-launch-business/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Amos, Jonathan (11 July 2012). "Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic to launch small satellites". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18801180" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18801180</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Lindsey, Clark (18 October 2012). "ISPCS 2012: Thursday Afternoon session". NewSpace Watch. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2015. <a href="https://archive.today/20130208135330/http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/ispcs-2012-thurs-afternoon-session.html" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20130208135330/http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/ispcs-2012-thurs-afternoon-session.html</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"Virgin Galactic relaunches its smallsat launch business". NewSpace Journal. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012. <a href="http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/07/11/virgin-galactic-relaunches-its-smallsat-launch-business/" target="_blank">http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/07/11/virgin-galactic-relaunches-its-smallsat-launch-business/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Boyle, Alan (23 January 2014). "Hello, Newton: Virgin Galactic unveils its 'other' rocket engine". NBC News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2015. <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/hello-newton-virgin-galactic-unveils-its-other-rocket-engine-n15051" target="_blank">http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/hello-newton-virgin-galactic-unveils-its-other-rocket-engine-n15051</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Boyle, Alan (23 January 2014). "Hello, Newton: Virgin Galactic unveils its 'other' rocket engine". NBC News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2015. <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/hello-newton-virgin-galactic-unveils-its-other-rocket-engine-n15051" target="_blank">http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/hello-newton-virgin-galactic-unveils-its-other-rocket-engine-n15051</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">"Virgin Galactic Opens New Design and Manufacturing Facility for LauncherOne". Space Daily. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2015. <a href="http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Virgin_Galactic_Opens_New_Design_and_Manufacturing_Facility_for_LauncherOne_999.html" target="_blank">http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Virgin_Galactic_Opens_New_Design_and_Manufacturing_Facility_for_LauncherOne_999.html</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Foust, Jeff (16 March 2015). "Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne on Schedule for 2016 First Launch". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2015. <a href="http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactics-launcherone-on-schedule-for-2016-first-launch/" target="_blank">http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactics-launcherone-on-schedule-for-2016-first-launch/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Virgin Galactic Signs Contract with OneWeb to Perform 39 Satellite Launches" (Press release). Long Beach, California: Virgin Galactic. 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150728110622/http://www.virgingalactic.com/press/virgin-galactic-signs-contract-with-oneweb-to-perform-39-satellite-launches/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150728110622/http://www.virgingalactic.com/press/virgin-galactic-signs-contract-with-oneweb-to-perform-39-satellite-launches/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">OneWeb's first big deployment launch slips to January Archived 10 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine SpaceNews – 8 November 2019 <a href="https://spacenews.com/onewebs-first-big-deployment-launch-slips-to-january/" target="_blank">https://spacenews.com/onewebs-first-big-deployment-launch-slips-to-january/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Clark, Stephen. "OneWeb files for bankruptcy – Spaceflight Now". Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020. <a href="https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/30/oneweb-files-for-bankruptcy/" target="_blank">https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/30/oneweb-files-for-bankruptcy/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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</ol>

LauncherOne open-in-new

LauncherOne