Session
Technical Session II: Launch
Abstract
Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline, is developing a space transportation service to provide an affordable, reliable, and responsive dedicated ride to orbit for smaller payloads. No longer will small satellite users be forced to make a choice between accepting the limitations of flight as a secondary payload, paying dramatically more for a dedicated launch vehicle, or dealing with the added complexity associated with export control requirements and international travel to distant launch sites. Virgin Galactic's satellite launch vehicle, “LauncherOne,” is a two-stage, air-launched liquid propulsion (LOX/RP) rocket. This system is designed to conduct operations from a variety of locations, allowing customers to select various launch azimuths and increasing available orbital launch windows. In response to strong commercial demand, Virgin Galactic has increased the capability of LauncherOne so that it will now be capable of launching of approximately 300 kg into the standard Sun-Synchronous Orbit most commonly desired by small satellite missions, or more than 400 kg into lower inclination orbits.
LauncherOne: Virgin Galactic's Dedicated Launch Vehicle for Small Satellites
Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline, is developing a space transportation service to provide an affordable, reliable, and responsive dedicated ride to orbit for smaller payloads. No longer will small satellite users be forced to make a choice between accepting the limitations of flight as a secondary payload, paying dramatically more for a dedicated launch vehicle, or dealing with the added complexity associated with export control requirements and international travel to distant launch sites. Virgin Galactic's satellite launch vehicle, “LauncherOne,” is a two-stage, air-launched liquid propulsion (LOX/RP) rocket. This system is designed to conduct operations from a variety of locations, allowing customers to select various launch azimuths and increasing available orbital launch windows. In response to strong commercial demand, Virgin Galactic has increased the capability of LauncherOne so that it will now be capable of launching of approximately 300 kg into the standard Sun-Synchronous Orbit most commonly desired by small satellite missions, or more than 400 kg into lower inclination orbits.
