Virgin Group has offered the Pentagon a new rocket for launching satellites into space
As reported, Richard Branson, who is the founder of the Virgin Group, has already met with representatives of the US defense department, during which he offered the military development of the company: Launcher One - a rocket that is launched from an aircraft and is capable of launching a satellite into space. According to him, the military was very interested in this project.
LauncherOne booster is being developed from 2008 of the year. In October, 2015, the company reported on successful fire tests of rocket engines, and on November 18 in California over the Mojave Desert, the company conducted its first successful missile tests.
As stated in the company, Launcher One rocket is designed to launch small satellites and can put into orbit a load up to 500 kg. It is a one-time two-stage rocket that will be launched from under the wing of a modified Boeing 747 aircraft. The length is slightly more than 20 meters, the weight is approximately 25 tons. A feature of this rocket is the ability to launch at any time of the day without the use of space centers, but only if there is a runway for the aircraft carrier. The plane rises to an altitude of 10 km, after which it must bend over 25 degrees and release the rocket.
To date, the Virgin Orbit is participating as a finalist in the DARPA Launch Challenge program, according to the results of which the Pentagon wants to get alternative technology to quickly launch satellites into orbit.
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