Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review, January 21, 2022

Aerotech News
Aerotech News
Aerotech News

Journal of Aerospace, Defense Industry and Veteran News
and Review
and Review
Above the clouds:

Another successful launch for Virgin Orbit

Virgin Orbit photograph
by Cathy Hansen
special to Aerotech News
Virgin Orbit flew into 2022 with another successful launch on Jan. 13 with onlookers cheering.
Visitors at Mojave Air and Space Port stood on the Voyager Restaurant patio holding Smart Phones
and taking photos as ‘Cosmic Girl’ departed Runway 30 at approximately 1:39 p.m.
One person yelled, “There she is!” All phones and cameras were poised to catch the takeoff at Mojave.
According to Virgin Orbit’s press release, Cosmic Girl successfully deployed into orbit all seven
customer satellites onboard its LauncherOne rocket during the ‘Above the Clouds’ mission over the
Pacific Ocean, about 50 miles north of the Channel Islands. After a smooth release from the aircraft, the
LauncherOne rocket ignited and propelled itself towards space, ultimately deploying its payload into a Photograph by Cathy Hansen
precise target orbit approximately 500 kilometers above the Earth’s surface at 45 degrees inclination. Main: LauncherOne separates from Cosmic Girl as Virgin Orbit successfully deploys its payload.
Above: Cosmic Girl lifts off from the Mojave Air and Space Port.
See VIRGIN ORBIT, Page 2

January 21, 2022 • Volume 36, Issue 29 Serving the aerospace industry since 1986 Use your smartphone to connect to
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