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Guru3D.com » News » Virgin Orbit tries to launch rocket from plane (without success)

Virgin Orbit tries to launch rocket from plane (without success)

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 05/26/2020 09:19 AM | source: | 9 comment(s)
Virgin Orbit tries to launch rocket from plane (without success)

In other news (it is a slow news day) Virgin Orbit first attempted a test launch on Monday with LauncherOne, a rocket launch from the wing of what is named the 'Cosmic Girl' aircraft. The mission was unsuccessful.

The launch came to an early end for reasons unknown, shortly after the missile released from the aircraft. The plane has landed safely again. Cosmic Girl flew above the Pacific Ocean and climbed to an altitude of 10 kilometers. Over the Pacific, the aircraft began to fly in circles while all systems were being checked. The green light was given for the launch around 9:45 pm. Shortly after, the plane released LauncherOne and ignited the engine, but minutes later the mission ended prematurely. Failed to get the rocket into space.

The launch was supposed to take place on Sunday but was postponed due to a sensor failure. Before the launch, Virgin Orbit said to prepare for a failure, because it is not often that the first flight of a new launch vehicle goes well. The plane and rocket took off from the Mojave Desert in the U.S. state of Nevada.

A rocket is mainly launched from a flying aircraft to save expensive energy/rocket fuel. At about the first 10 kilometers of the atmosphere, the troposphere is the most airtight. It, therefore, takes a lot of energy to pierce this layer with a rocket.

By flying above the troposphere with an airplane, this layer can be skipped. Then, for example, less fuel is needed for the entire launch than with a launch from the ground. On the other hand, the rocket and the load cannot be too big, otherwise, the aircraft can no longer safely take off to the air.

 







« Linus Torvalds moves towards AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X platform · Virgin Orbit tries to launch rocket from plane (without success) · Logitech G Announces G915 TKL, Tenkeyless Gaming Wireless Keyboard »

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JonasBeckman
Senior Member



Posts: 17563
Joined: 2009-02-25

#5792475 Posted on: 05/26/2020 09:25 AM
Seems like a common thing but perhaps a bit more experience will improve how things go and there won't be any performance problems next time...quite fitting though for something called Virgin Orbit. :p

EDIT: Space anything does seem like a really entertaining field but I suppose it's going to be a long time before things go back to the old space race type of development of the 1960's let alone doing anything more than closer exploration or unmanned flights or discovery probes.
Probably plenty of things to resolve here first before going back for another take on the moon, Mars and the the classic of launching probes at the planet with the funny name. Costly too and a ton of rare materials being required for even smaller scale operations.


EDIT: Think there was plans on hotels and orbital tourism, space elevators and all sorts of fun stuff at a point back in time too, just remembering a few things though but it's nice to see things aren't entirely on hold whatever this could lead to and that isn't some military weapons project again.

rl66
Senior Member



Posts: 3566
Joined: 2007-05-31

#5792479 Posted on: 05/26/2020 09:45 AM
Space race lead to the moon just for politic propaganda (both USA and CCCP)...
Where would we be right now if everyone have put ressource together, or at least without politic interest.

Kaarme
Senior Member



Posts: 3303
Joined: 2013-03-10

#5792499 Posted on: 05/26/2020 11:16 AM
Space race lead to the moon just for politic propaganda (both USA and CCCP)...
Where would we be right now if everyone have put ressource together, or at least without politic interest.

We would have an international space station. Wait, we do have an international space station. Although China is not a part of it because back when it was built, China wasn't quite up to the task, I suppose. I guess you are correct about the politics getting in their way of joining now, much later. But then again, maybe they also wouldn't want to join anymore because the decommissioning of the old ISS is already a relevant topic.

Loobyluggs
Senior Member



Posts: 4950
Joined: 2008-09-07

#5792503 Posted on: 05/26/2020 11:21 AM
And yet, only a few short weeks ago, RB was asking for tax payers to give him 500million...yet, during that time burnt space fuel and bought another mobile network for 1,400 million...

I hope it crashes every time there is an unmanned attempt because whiny multi-millionaires do not deserve to go into space.

0blivious
Senior Member



Posts: 3274
Joined: 2006-04-25

#5792504 Posted on: 05/26/2020 11:25 AM
...To seek out new worlds. To boldly exploit where no man has exploited before.

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