Virgin Orbit

UK’s Virgin launch bolsters DoD space resilience strategy

Once airborne, LauncherOne will detach from under the 747’s wing and nine satellites – both civil and defense types - will be sent into orbit.

In a first, NRO and British MoD to make sat launch from UK soil

LauncherOne also will carry two experimental Cubesats to test concepts related to the UK MoD's $1.2B effort to develop its own ISR capabilities.

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne To Fly DoD Sats By Year End

"I want to see a kickass flight, really really soon!" says Mandy Vaughn, president of VOX Space, about her 2020 goals for Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne.

Branson: Virgin Launch of First Sat By End Of Year

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson hopes that his LauncherOne airborne launch system's capability to rapidly launch smallsats "will be a deterrent to an enemy state, that is to not attack satellites in the first place."

Vector Aims To Be One of Two DoD Small Launch Firms

From 150 down to two -- that's how intense and ruthless the competition is going to be to win the Pentagon's nod for the small launch vehicle market.

Pentagon Commercial Space Choices Widen As Space Unicorns Blossom

Venture capital funds are pouring money into space start-ups -- including a number of firms being eyed by DoD --with investment in 2018 hitting a record high of $3.2 billion.

Branson: DoD ‘Very Excited’ By Virgin’s Launch System

Sir Richard Branson says the US military "is very excited" about the capabilities of Virgin's Launcher One for resiliency on orbit.

DARPA Picks Three Competitors For Launch Challenge Prize

Tucson-based Vector Launch, Virgin Orbit, and a "stealth" startup can compete for prizes up to $10 million in the DARPA Launch Challenge.