Virgin Galactic has selected Boeing 747 aircraft as the dedicated launch platform for its LauncherOne small satellite launch rocket. T...
Virgin Galactic has selected Boeing 747 aircraft as the dedicated launch platform for its LauncherOne small satellite launch rocket.
The 747- 400 commercial jet aircraft, previously operated by Virgin Atlantic airline under the nickname 'Cosmic Girl' will launch the LauncherOne to orbit, once it reaches a pre-defined altitude.
The LauncherOne rocket will be mounted to the carrier aircraft under the left wing, adjacent to the position that has been used by other 747s to ferry a fifth engine.
Powered by four engines, the Boeing 747 has an long established track record of supporting a variety of special missions, including the Space Shuttle Enterprise test flight program, NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft program, the Pratt and Whitney flying testbed, and flight test of the X-45 ‘Phantom Ray.’
Additional qualities that make the 747 ideal for the mission is the aircraft’s large and robust rocket carrying capacity, operational flexibility, long range, ability to operate in many kinds of weather, as well as years of existing 747-400 experience, maintenance, and spare parts supply chains. The carrier aircraft can also be deployed from any runway capable of 747 operations.
Initial inspections and tests of Cosmic Girl have already been completed and, prior to the start of the wing modification, a regularly scheduled maintenance check will be conducted by VT San Antonio Aerospace. A maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) organization, VT San Antonio Aerospace has over the years re-delivered more than 3,000 aircraft.
In September, Virgin Galactic announced that in response to customer demand, it had doubled LauncherOne’s performance to 200kg into the standard Sun-Synchronous Orbit for a price below US$10 million, with the option to purchase further increases in performance to the same orbit and for launches that reach other altitudes or inclinations. The launch system is capable of launching over 400kg of payload to other orbits.
Virgin Galactic Founder Sir Richard Branson said “The Boeing 747 has a very special place in my heart: we began service on my first airline, Virgin Atlantic, with just one leased 747. I never imagined that today one of our 747s would get a second chance and help open access to space. I’m absolutely thrilled that Cosmic Girl can stay in the Virgin family — and truly live up to her name!”
Once released from the carrier aircraft at an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet, the LauncherOne rocket fires up its single main stage engine, a 73,500 lbf, LOX/RP-1 rocket engine called the “NewtonThree.” Typically, this engine will fire for approximately three minutes. After stage separation, the single upper stage engine, a 5,000 lbf LOX/RP-1 rocket engine called the “NewtonFour” will carry the satellite(s) into orbit.
Launching from a aircraft is cost effective for small space launchers. Its eliminates the need for a spaceport, heavy booster stages and is not affected by weather conditions which frequently delay rocket launches. It also saves a huge amount on insurance cost.
Orbital ATK operates a Lockheed Martin L-1011 Stargazer aircraft to launch its Pegasus space rocket, which can orbit a 977 lb (443 kg) payload into low Earth orbit.
