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Lockheed Martin photograph
NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft (QueSST) is pictured here at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in California, wrapped up in
preparation for its move to Texas. The X-plane will undergo ground tests to ensure it can withstand the stresses of flight before returning to Story ideas, letters, editorials
California for completion.
Please send all letters and editorials to
Stuart A. Ibberson, editor,
by Matt Kamlet the aircraft can withstand the loads and stresses that typically occur at editor@aerotechnews.com.
NASA Armstrong during flight. The team will also calibrate and test the fuel systems
before the X-59 makes the journey back to California for more tests
Last year, 2021, saw significant milestones achieved in the assem- and completion.
bly of NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft (QueSST), The X-59 is designed to reduce the loudness of the sonic boom, Web Site
and all eyes now look forward to a pivotal 2022. Access the Aerotech News web
Following the X-plane’s temporary move from Lockheed Martin’s which occurs when an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, to site at www.aerotechnews.com
Skunk Works in California to their facilities in Texas, the X-59 is set a gentle, quiet sonic “thump”. The X-plane will demonstrate this in Submissions for upcoming events, air
to start 2022 with critical ground testing, as progress continues toward flights over communities around the U.S. starting in 2024, as NASA shows and museums
NASA’s target of the aircraft’s first flight later this year. collects data that could open the future to commercial supersonic should be emailed to
While in Texas, ground testing of the X-59 will be done to ensure flights over land. editor@aerotechnews.com.
For questions concerning the web site,
VIRGIN ORBIT, FROM 1 contact the webmaster at
This is the first time that anyone has reached this “Our customers are starting to hear back from “On top of that, we flew through weather and webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
orbit from the West Coast. their satellites that are checking in from orbit — a cloud layer that would have grounded any other
The press release also stated, “The launch was and for us, that’s what success looks like,” said launch I’ve worked on in my career, something
the company’s third successful flight, occurring Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit CEO. “It’s a thrill for our only made possible by air-launch and our incred- Where you can get
less than one year from its first mission. Virgin team that this mission included our first repeat ible team. We can say with confidence that in this Aerotech News and Review
Orbit has now successfully delivered commer- customers as well as our first ‘last minute ticket’ For information on
cial, government, international, and national se- customers and reached an orbit that no one had new era of regular, frequent, successful missions, Aerotech distribution, call
curity satellites to space, including new Above the ever reached from the West Coast before, all of we can help our customers and partners use space (661) 945-5634 or visit
Clouds customer Spire Global, Inc., and first ever which confirms the team’s ability to provide top technology to advance human knowledge and www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
repeat customers: the U.S. Department of Defense tier launch service anywhere, anytime. open space for good,” Hart said.
Space Test Program, and Polish company SatRev-
olution. This launch was awarded to Virgin Orbit Aerotech News and Review is published
through its subsidiary VOX Space by the DOD’s every other Friday, serving the
Defense Innovation Unit as part of the DOD Space aerospace and defense industry of
Test Program’s Rapid Agile Launch Initiative.” Southern California, Nevada and
“The satellites launched on the company’s lat- Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
est mission include experiments in space-based is noon on the Tuesday prior to
communications, space debris detection, and in- publication. The publisher assumes no
space navigation and propulsion, as well as satel- responsibility for error in ads other
lites that will serve the global agricultural sector. than space used. Your comments are
The launch brings the total number of satellites welcomed and encouraged. Write to
launched by Virgin Orbit to 26.” the address below.
“Because of the unique air-launch system
Virgin Orbit has developed, the Above the
Clouds mission was launched in an orbit never
before directly accessible from the West Coast • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
• Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
of the Americas. Rather than launching from a • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
fixed pad on the ground, Virgin Orbit conducts • National Advertising
its launches from under the wing of a modified Manager .....................Paul Kinison
747 aircraft, and by flying the aircraft further out
over the ocean, the company was able to launch on
a trajectory no ground-launch rocket could have
achieved. That direct injection into the target orbit Aerotech News and Review
saved the satellites onboard this mission months Virgin Orbit photograph e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
of time and kilograms of fuel they might have LauncherOne sits attached to the Cosmic Girl mother ship at the Mojave Air and Space Port prior Visit our web site at
otherwise spent correcting their orbit from what a to take off and launch. www.aerotechnews.com
landlocked launch site could provide them.”

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