Virgin Orbit Announces Next Launch, Dubbed ‘Straight Up’
May 09 2022 - 8:05AM
Business Wire
LauncherOne has arrived in Mojave Air and Space Port in
preparation for upcoming launch
Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) has entered flight preparation mode
for its forthcoming launch, Straight Up, that will support the
United States Space Force’s STP-28A mission. After departing Virgin
Orbit’s Long Beach rocket factory on Thursday, April 28, 2022, the
rocket arrived at the Mojave Air and Space Port. It will support
the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) and will carry payloads
for the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP).
Integration testing with airplane and ground equipment will take
place followed by a full launch rehearsal and final mating to the
customized 747 that serves as Virgin Orbit’s flying and fully
re-usable launch pad and mobile mission control room.
Launch is expected no earlier than June 29. The launch window is
projected to open at 8 pm local time, representing the first night
mission for the responsive launch company. The target orbit is
approximately 500km above the Earth’s surface at 45 degrees
inclination – an orbit that no other system has reached from the
West Coast.
Playing a key role in the Straight Up launch will be the Virgin
Orbit National Systems team, which has developed and provided
services to the national security community, focused on defense and
the protection of the United States and its allies through Virgin
Orbit’s responsive space capabilities. To date, Virgin Orbit has
launched three successful back-to-back launches, including eight
DoD Science & Technology demonstrations across two flights.
The launch name, Straight Up, is inspired by American singer
Paula Abdul’s breakthrough song Straight Up from her debut studio
album Forever Your Girl. Released through Virgin Records on June
21,1988, it was the most successful debut album ever at the time of
its release. The iconic dance-pop tune has remained Abdul’s biggest
international hit to date.
“Virgin Orbit has been rising ‘straight up’ since we began
commercial launch operations 18 months ago,” said Virgin Orbit CEO
Dan Hart. “More and more, we are seeing the importance of
space to the security of the U.S. and allied countries. We
are honored and committed to supporting the Space Force at this
critical time.”
Mark Baird, President of the newly renamed Virgin Orbit National
Systems (formerly VOX Space) added, “We believe this launch will
demonstrate the significant maturation and operationalization of a
unique capability. I’m excited to see Straight Up, wheels up.”
The Mission Manifest:
- U.S. Space Force has procured this launch for the Rocket
Systems Launch Program (RSLP), with payloads provided by the DoD
Space Test Program (STP).
- The launch will carry seven satellites from multiple government
agencies that are experiments intended to demonstrate novel modular
satellite bus, space domain awareness, and adaptive radio frequency
technologies.
- The Straight Up launch will support the United States Space
Force’s STP-28A mission. The contract to launch STP-28A was awarded
to Virgin Orbit National Systems on April 2020 by the United States
Space Force.
Launch Name: Straight Up USSF Mission Number: STP-28A
Launch Site: Fully mobile LauncherOne system will conduct
the flight from what is currently a bare concrete pad at the Mojave
Air and Space Port in California Target Orbit: Approximately
500km above the Earth’s surface at 45 degrees inclination Launch
Timing: No earlier than June 29, 2022 Launch Coverage:
More information will be shared in the news over the coming weeks.
Real time updates to be provided via social media and a public
livestream.
ABOUT VIRGIN ORBIT
Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) operates one of the most flexible
and responsive space launch systems ever built. Founded by Sir
Richard Branson in 2017, the company began commercial service in
2021, and has already delivered commercial, civil, national
security, and international satellites into orbit. Virgin Orbit’s
LauncherOne rockets are designed and manufactured in Long Beach,
California, and are air-launched from a modified 747-400 carrier
aircraft that allows Virgin Orbit to operate from locations all
over the world in order to best serve each customer’s needs. Learn
more at www.virginorbit.com and visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter
@virginorbit, and on Instagram @virgin.orbit.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words
“believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,”
“strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,”
“will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,”
and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are
predictions, projections and other statements about future events
that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a
result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could
cause actual future events to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not
limited to the Company’s ability to access sources of capital; its
ability to grow market share in the developing space economy;
market acceptance of its current and planned products and services
and ability to achieve sufficient production volumes, as well as
the factors, risks and uncertainties included in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2022, as well as in
the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov and the Investor Information section of the Company’s
website at www.virginorbit.com. These filings
identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that
could cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ
materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, and Virgin Orbit assumes no obligation and does not
intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise. Virgin Orbit gives no assurance that it will achieve its
expectations.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220508005103/en/
Linda Rivera press@virginorbit.com
+1-323-316-6499
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