Virgin Orbit, a company developing small satellite launch capabilities, is planning to repeat its crucial orbital test launch in December. Achieving success in this attempt would represent a significant recovery following the previous launch, which unfortunately did not achieve orbit as intended. The company’s goal is to provide affordable launch options for small satellites, utilizing an airborne launch system involving a specialized commercial aircraft to carry its launch vehicle to a substantial altitude.

This upcoming launch is anticipated to be a milestone for Virgin Orbit – the first instance of reaching orbit, a necessary step to deliver the services the company envisions. Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, communicated to CNBC that the December timeframe is based on their current progress in assembling a new LauncherOne rocket for the test flight.

LauncherOne is connected to Virgin Orbit’s carrier aircraft, a repurposed 747, for its launch procedure. The aircraft ascends to approximately 45,000 feet, where it releases the rocket. Following separation, the rocket’s engines ignite, propelling it independently into space. Launching from this altitude simplifies a rocket’s departure from Earth’s atmosphere, leading Virgin Orbit to believe it can provide substantial cost advantages for dedicated small satellite launches compared to existing options.

Virgin Orbit’s initial launch proceeded without issue until shortly after the engines of the LauncherOne vehicle ignited. A system failure triggered a safety shutdown of the engines, and the rocket subsequently returned to Earth safely, though it was lost in the process.

Experiencing a problem during a first orbital launch attempt is quite common – it is, in fact, a typical occurrence. Virgin Orbit stated that they obtained valuable data from their initial attempt, despite the outcome, and they are optimistic that this information will contribute to the success of the next launch. A successful launch would position the company to commence commercial operations in the coming year.

In addition, CNBC reports that the company is actively seeking between $100 million and $150 million in additional funding, confirming an earlier report from The Wall Street Journal this week.