Virgin Orbit has announced it will obtain a second Boeing 747-400 aircraft as it increases operations both at home for the US Space Force and customers abroad. The new aircraft will serve as an additional airborne launch pad for Virgin Orbit’s small satellite launch service, with the first one being delivered next year.

Virgin Orbit currently utilizes a former Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 named “Cosmic Girl” to carry and deploy payloads to Low Earth Orbit under Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne program. Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Orbit, Dan Hart, expressed his enthusiasm to work with L3Harris Technologies who modified the company's flagship aircraft:

“Virgin Orbit is at an exciting juncture in our growth as a company. As we expand our fleet to serve customers worldwide, we’re enthusiastic to once again partner with L3Harris.”

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The first of the new aircraft is due to be delivered next year. Photo: Virgin Orbit

The new aircraft will presumably come from the retired Virgin Atlantic fleet, and L3Harris expects to deliver the updated version next year.

International expansion

The new Boeing 747s will be modified to feature an improved layout and the ability to carry up to two LauncherOne rockets and the logistic and ground support equipment to launch sites worldwide. The announcement comes as Virgin Orbit introduced a series of new partnerships for its small satellite launch service​​​.

Since beginning operations in 2021, Virgin Orbit has had several successful launches and expanded its focus to international clients. Plans are in place for launches from Japan, Poland, and Spaceport Cornwall (based at Newquay Cornwall Airport) in the United Kingdom.

“It’s inspiring for our team to see L3Harris’ aircraft engineering and modification experience in action on a mission-enabling platform that has performed brilliantly in its space launch role,” said Luke Savoie, President, ISR Systems, L3Harris. “We’re excited to help double Virgin Orbit’s innovative fleet so they can serve their customers with greater capacity and mission flexibility.”

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The existing launch vehicle carries a single Launcher One rocket underneath its wing. Photo: Virgin Orbit

Cosmic Girl takes off.

Virgin Orbit’s flagship launch craft Cosmic Girl has completed three commercial launches thus far. The specially adapted aircraft has deployed 26 customer satellites into orbit for multiple commercial, government, and military customers in less than two years of operations.

The aircraft, registered as N744VG, was previously acquired from Virgin Orbit’s sister company Virgin Atlantic. It will continue to fly for the company and is now preparing for its next mission, set to be completed no earlier than June 29 from Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

The forthcoming launch has been affectionately named "Straight Up" in honor of Paula Abdul’s breakthrough hit single Straight Up from her debut studio album Forever Your Girl. The record quickly became the most successful debut album ever when released through Virgin Records in June of 1988.

Launching in support of the United States Space Force’s STP-28A mission, Cosmo Girl will launch its payload into target orbit approximately 500km above the Earth’s surface at 45 degrees inclination. If successful, it will be the first time such an orbit has been reached from the United States' West Coast. The payload will consist of seven satellites for the Department of Defense's Space Test Program.

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The new aircraft also will be capable of delivering the logistical cargo necessary for launches around the world. Photo: Virgin Orbit

Domestic missions by the company are handled by Virgin Orbits US subsidiary Virgin Orbit National Systems (formerly VOX Space), which was recently awarded a $35m contract with the United States Space Force.