Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, January 22, 2021

VIRGIN ORBIT, from 1
team will launch to change the world
for good.”
At 10:38 a.m., PST, Jan. 17, “Cos-
mic Girl” gracefully lifted from run-
way 30 at Mojave Air and Space
Port and flew into clear blue skies
on a mission to launch a commer-
cial payload for NASA. The payload
consisted of 10 small satellites called
“CubeSats” designed and built by re-
searchers at NASA’s Ames Research
Center in Moffett, Calif., and an as-
sortment of universities around the
United States.
LauncherOne, a liquid fueled rock-
et, was released from under the left
wing of the modified 747 over the Pa-
cific Ocean, off the coast of California
at 30,000 feet.
At 11:50 a.m., PST, Virgin Courtesy photograph Courtesy photograph
Orbit announced in a tweet — Kelly Latimer, pilot Todd Ericson
“LauncherOne has reached orbit!”
“A new gateway to space has just colonel. She was the first ever fe- all U.S. Air Force experimental and
sprung open! That LauncherOne was male research pilot to join the NASA developmental test programs. Todd
able to successfully reach orbit today Armstrong Flight Research Center. also served as Operations and Mainte-
is a testament to this team’s talent, She previously worked with Virgin nance Group Commander for the Air
precision, drive, and ingenuity,” said Galactic and is presently the pilot for Force, where he directed performance
Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit president and Virgin Orbit, flying the modified 747, and safety for more than 600 person-
CEO. “Even in the face of a global “Cosmic Girl.” nel engaged in flight operations and
pandemic, we’ve maintained a laser She flew the T-38, T-34, Lock- maintenance for 21 diverse aircraft
focus on fully demonstrating every heed Martin C-141B Starlifter, C-17 types.
element of this revolutionary launch Globemaster III, 747 Shuttle Carrier Ericson amassed over 230 combat
system. That effort paid off today aircraft and the Stratospheric Obser- hours in the F-16 during Operation
with a beautifully executed mission, vatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP Allied Force where he earned seven
and we couldn’t be happier.” (SOFIA). Air Medals. He is a 2011 distin-
Pilot in Command, Kelly Latimer Ericson brings 23 years of military guished graduate from Air Force Air
and Todd Ericson are both distin- and aviation safety experience to his War College where he was awarded
guished U.S. Air Force veterans who career, including service as the Chief Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies Photograph by Cathy Hansen
both graduated from the U.S. Air of Safety for the U.S. Air Force Test and won the General Charles Horner Cosmic Girl, with LauncherOne onboard, takes off from the Mojave Air and
Force Academy. Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Award. He has logged more than Space Port Jan. 17, 2021. The mission successfully launched 10 CubeSats
Latimer is a former combat veteran where he was responsible for test, 8,500 flight hours in over 90 diverse for NASA.
and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant ground, weapons and flight safety for aircraft types.

Photograph by Al Hansen
Following a succesful mission, Virgin Orbit’s Cosmic Girl returns home to the Mojave
Air and Space Port.

Virgin Orbit photograph
We have ignition!

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