Rocket engine failure behind botched 747 launch

The business’s CEO, Dan Hart, said his team would work “tirelessly” to understand the nature of the fault and make corrections for future attempts.

Virgin Orbit is the successor to a project begun by Virgin Galactic and uses a modified Boeing 747-400 aircraft to launch payloads into space from mid-air.

Tuesday’s launch was the first outside the company’s home airport in the Mojave Desert, California, and significantly came before it plans a demonstrator launch at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in 2024.

“While we are very proud of the many things that we successfully achieved as part of this mission, we are mindful that we failed to provide our customers with the launch service they deserve,” said Hart.

Matt Archer, director of commercial spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, also commented on the failed launch, pledging to assist in the investigation into what caused the anomaly.

“We will work closely with Virgin Orbit as they investigate what caused the anomaly in the coming days and weeks. While this result is disappointing, launching a spacecraft always carries significant risks.”

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Other industry figures remained relatively positive, pointing out that the launch, while failing to achieve orbit, still made it to space and has paved the way for future UK-based launches.

“We are so incredibly proud of everything we have achieved with our partners and friends across the space industry here in the UK and in the US — we made it to space —– a UK first,” said Melissa Thorpe, head of Spaceport Cornwall.

The aircraft is equipped with a rocket that is mounted to the underside of the plane, just under the left wing. Once the 747 reaches an altitude of around 35,000 feet, the rocket is then detached from the aircraft. After several seconds, the rocket’s engines fire and take the payloads to orbit.

The Boeing 747 used by Virgin Orbit, named Cosmic Girl, has only received minimal modifications to prepare it for its new job of launching rockets. It previously served as an aircraft carrier for Atlantic Airlines, ferrying passengers between New York and London.

The company has plans to expand its launch services to more locations across the world, with Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in Queensland earmarked as the next spaceport location.

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport was chosen by Virgin Orbit due to its ideal geographical conditions for satellite launches. Many locations within Australia are appealing launch destinations due to the available orbits that can be reached from the continent.

Australian Aviation took an exclusive look at Virgin Orbit’s plan in our latest issue, which includes an interview with CEO Dan Hart. To find out more and subscribe, click here.