Virgin Orbit Demos Rocket Launch From Carrier Aircraft

Virgin Orbit has demonstrated prelaunch and flight procedures for a rocket the company designed to help customers bring small satellites into orbit.

LauncherOne's booster engine lighted on cue after the vehicle launched from a Cosmic Girl carrier aircraft during the initial demonstration off the California coast above the Pacific Ocean, the company said Tuesday.

The launch demo event also involved captive carry, telemetry lock, racetrack passthrough, terminal count and release processes.

Cosmic Girl crew landed the aircraft at Mojave Air and Space Port after the mission.

Dan Hart, CEO at Virgin Orbit, said a team of engineers is studying data from the test.

"Our next rocket is waiting. We will learn, adjust, and begin preparing for our next test, which is coming up soon," Hart added.

The satellite launch services provider is close to finishing the integration of its next rocket at a manufacturing facility in Long Beach.

Virgin Orbit decided to produce multiple launch systems ahead of the test flight in order to accelerate the pace of work.