Virgin Orbit continues its momentum following its successful entry into the small launch provider sector – the company recently revealed it will be launching a payload for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF). This marks the inaugural satellite deployment authorized by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, and it’s a compact satellite designed to serve as a testing ground for various communication technologies.

The satellite, designated BRIK-II, derives its name not from being the second in a series, but from Brik, the very first aircraft procured and utilized by the RNAF. This undertaking represents one of Virgin Orbit’s initial commercial ventures after a successful demonstration flight and is scheduled for launch later this year. The mission is structured as a rideshare opportunity, with additional payloads anticipated – potentially originating from the U.S. Department of Defense, which is collaborating with Virgin Orbit’s specialized U.S. defense-focused division, VOX Space, to determine the mission’s complete payload.

This forthcoming mission serves as a crucial showcase of several key benefits offered by Virgin Orbit within the launch services market. Specifically, it will highlight the collaborative potential between the U.S. DOD and allied defense organizations in the realm of space, particularly concerning the launch of small communication satellites. Virgin Orbit will also leverage the mission to demonstrate its “late-load integration” functionality – essentially, its ability to incorporate a payload onto its LauncherOne rocket shortly before liftoff.

While a late-load integration isn’t strictly necessary for this specific flight due to ample preparation time, a core aspect of Virgin Orbit’s value proposition is its capacity to swiftly add satellites to its rocket immediately before the aircraft carrying it to launch altitude departs. Successfully demonstrating this capability will significantly underscore how its services distinguish themselves from competitors like Rocket Lab and SpaceX.