Virgin Orbit Launch Live: Watch the First Rocket Launch

Virgin Orbit Prepares for First Commercial Launch

Virgin Orbit is scheduled to initiate the deployment of a payload containing satellites for its initial commercial clientele. The launch is anticipated to occur within a timeframe beginning at 6:00 AM Pacific Time (9:00 AM Eastern Time) and extending until 8:00 AM Pacific Time (11:00 AM Eastern Time).

Liftoff will be from the Mojave Air and Space Port, located in California. This mission represents the first operational flight following Virgin Orbit’s successful demonstration of orbital capabilities in January.

Live Streaming and Unique Launch System

Notably, this launch will be the first to be live-streamed by Virgin Orbit. Viewers will have access to unprecedented visuals of both the carrier aircraft and the in-flight release of the LauncherOne rocket.

Virgin Orbit employs a distinctive launch methodology. A modified 747 aircraft transports the small rocket to a considerable altitude.

From there, the rocket is released from the aircraft's wing and subsequently ignites its engines to complete the journey to low-Earth orbit (LEO).

A Different Approach to Space Access

This method diverges significantly from the conventional vertical launch techniques utilized by companies such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab.

Following a period of extensive testing and refinement, Virgin Orbit inaugurated commercial services with its successful demonstration launch earlier in the year.

The company anticipates that its launch model will offer considerable flexibility. It can operate from a wide range of conventional runways.

This capability aims to cater to the requirements of smaller satellite operators seeking to deploy their spacecraft into LEO.