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Цитата: undefinedVirgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
We're delighted to announce our next mission, coming in December: "Above the Clouds," featuring happy repeat customers @SatRevolution and @DeptofDefense Space Test Program. #LauncherOne #VirginOrbit

ЦитироватьComing off flawless back-to-back launches, the Virgin Orbit team has settled into a steady flight preparation rhythm with LauncherOne. [Earlier today], the fully assembled rocket that will carry our next customers' satellites to space has left our rocket factory in Long Beach and headed up to the bare concrete pad at the Mojave Air and Space Port that serves as all the spaceport we need. Already, the rocket has been mated to the customized 747 that serves as our flying launch pad, mobile mission control, and fully re-usable first stage all at once.
With our pre-launch preparation now officially underway, we're delighted to tell you more about our next mission, which is on track to launch later this year. On the heels of our flawless Tubular Bells, Part One mission in June, which sounded our new era of routine commercial flights to orbit, we're happy some of our Tubular Bells . We're working with some old friends, but headed to some new places.
We invite you to turn your attention skyward, to a mission we have dubbed Above the Clouds.
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Спойлер

Mission Manifest:
The U.S. Department of Defense, which is launching several Research and Development (R&D) satellites from multiple government agencies that are experiments in space-based communications and in-space navigation, as well as a university payload sponsored by NASA. This launch, also known as STP-VP27B, was awarded to Virgin Orbit's subsidiary VOX Space by the DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as part of the DoD Space Test Program's (STP) Rapid Agile Launch (RALI) Initiative. DIU is an organization working to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology into the U.S. military to strengthen national security.
Polish company SatRevolution, which is launching two nanosatellites: STORK-3 and SteamSat-2. STORK-3 join the STORK-4 and STORK-5 Marta satellites placed in orbit on our June 2021 mission as part of the SatRevolution's Earth-observation capabilities, with a focus on serving customers in the agricultural sector to take medium-resolution photos. SteamSat-2 is a technology demonstrated for SteamJet Space System (UK)'s innovative water-fueled thrusters for in-space propulsion.

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Launch Site: Our fully mobile LauncherOne system will conduct the flight from what is currently a bare concrete pad at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California
Target Orbit: mid-inclination Low Earth Orbit
Launch Timing: Q4 2021
Launch Coverage: Real time updates to be provided via social media and a public livestream
Mission Name: Above the Clouds

Спойлер

The mission name Above the Clouds pays homage to hip hop sensation Gang Starr's album, Moment of Truth. Released on March 31, 1998, by Virgin Records in collaboration with Noo Trybe Records, Moment of Truth is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The song titled Above the Clouds, featuring Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan, appears as the fifth track – and Virgin Orbit's favorite. We are especially inspired by the chorus:
Above the crowds, above the clouds
Where the sounds are original
Infinite skills create miracles
We're certainly a little biased. Starting our launches from above the clouds lets us avoid the crowds at traditional spaceports, while also giving us a significant performance advantage over ground-launched systems. That means we can do more to help our customers and partners use their infinite skills to create miracles, using space technology to make life better right here on planet Earth. We are emboldened by the original, creative work and innovative tenacity our collaborators, customers, and colleagues demonstrate every day to advance the industry.
We'll have more info and technical updates to share as the launch gets closer. In the meantime, stay in the loop by subscribing (https://virginorbit.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=024c85414431f25ca6edb2012&id=78a4a9f4f2) to our newsletter, and following us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/virginorbit), Twitter (https://twitter.com/VirginOrbit), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virgin-orbit/) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virgin.orbit/).

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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/42242.jpg)  Cosmic Penguin  @Cosmic_Penguin
Fresh released USCG notices has this flying on December 22 at 2-5 pm Pacific = 22:00 - 01:00 UTC, 10 hours after JWST.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75503.jpg)  Michael Sheetz  @thesheetztweetz
Virgin Orbit (merging with SPAC $NGCA) announces that for its next launch Spire Global $SPIR received FAA waiver approval to add the ADLER-1 satellite, which was integrated within 36 hours on Virgin Orbit's payload:
"It's flat-out amazing!" - CEO Dan Hart
https://businesswire.com/news/home/20211209005342/en/Spire-Global-Inc.-Selects-Virgin-Orbit-for-Late-Load-Addition-to-Next-Flight-in-Record-Time...
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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)Virgin Orbit@VirginOrbit

We are extremely honored to add
@SpireGlobal (https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal)
as an additional customer on our next mission, Above the Clouds, scheduled for mid-December 2021 to mid-January 2022.

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virginorbit.com
SPIRE GLOBAL, INC. SELECTS VIRGIN ORBIT FOR LATE-LOAD ADDITION TO NEXT FLIGHT IN RECORD TIME
Leading launch company Virgin Orbit, which has announced a planned business combination with special purpose acquisition company NextGen Acquisition

ЦитироватьVirgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
As 2021 comes towards an end, we're busier than ever! This week, we completed our final launch rehearsal for our upcoming Above the Clouds launch, scheduled for January 12. That successful test has us heading into the holiday season with excellent momentum and high confidence.

ЦитироватьVirgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
The launch window for Virgin Orbit's third commercial flight, Above the Clouds, opens this Wednesday, January 12, 2022. The spacecraft to be launched to Low Earth Orbit at 500 km circular orbit at 45 degrees inclination for this mission includes satellites for
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(2/3) the US Department of Defense's Space Test Program, Polish company @SatRevolution, and @SpireGlobal, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR). Virgin Orbit's team is currently progressing through the final pre-flight checklist as they work towards the opening of a launch window on January 12.
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(3/3) Anticipated take-off times on 1/12 range between approx. 1pm and 3:30pm PT (21:00–23:30 GMT), with rocket drop and ignition expected to occur roughly 1 hour after take-off. Virgin Orbit will proceed to launch if all conditions are nominal. Backup windows extend through Jan.

ЦитироватьVirgin Orbit запустит ряд спутников на орбиту Земли 13 января - компания
       Вашингтон. 11 января. ИНТЕРФАКС - Частная аэрокосмическая компания Virgin Orbit выведет несколько коммерческих спутников на низкую околоземную орбиту Земли 13 января в рамках миссии Above the Clouds, сообщила компания в твиттере.
       "Стартовое окно для третьего коммерческого запуска компании Virgin Orbit, получившего имя Above the Clouds, открывается в эту среду, 12 января (13 января мск - ИФ)", - говорится в сообщении компании в соцсети.
       По плану модифицированный самолёт Boeing 747 с прикреплённой к нему ракетой-носителем LauncherOne поднимется со взлётной полосы аэродрома Мохаве в Калифорнии 12 января в период между 13:00 и 15:30 по Тихоокеанскому времени (13 января, 00:00 - 2:30 мск). Примерно через час после начала полёта ракета будет отстыкована, после чего она включит двигатели и продолжит путь до намеченной орбиты самостоятельно.
       По данным компании, в рамках запуска на орбиту высотой 500 км будут выведены спутники для космической испытательной программы Пентагона, в том числе для проверки технологий связи и навигации объектов в космическом пространстве, аппарат, разработанный университетом Корнелл, а также спутники польской компании SatRevolution и американской SpireGlobal.
       Этот запуск станет четвёртым для ракет этой серии.
       По информации разработчиков, ракета-носитель LauncherOne способна выводить до 300 кг полезной нагрузки на солнечно-синхронную орбиту высотой около 500 км.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Meet our customers flying on our third commercial flight to space! U.S. Department of Defense, @SatRevolution (https://twitter.com/SatRevolution), and @SpireGlobal (https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal), it's an honor to carry your payloads to space. #VirginOrbit (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginOrbit?src=hashtag_click) #AboveTheClouds (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AboveTheClouds?src=hashtag_click) #SpaceForGood (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceForGood?src=hashtag_click) $VORB (https://twitter.com/search?q=%24VORB&src=cashtag_click)
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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Meet the credentialed pilots who will be flying #CosmicGirl (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CosmicGirl?src=hashtag_click) during our Above the Clouds mission! #LauncherOne (https://twitter.com/hashtag/LauncherOne?src=hashtag_click) #AboveTheClouds (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AboveTheClouds?src=hashtag_click) #VirginOrbit (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginOrbit?src=hashtag_click)
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Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Happy L-1! Mojave Air and Space Port is buzzing with activity this morning as the team prepares for tomorrow's mission to space. We're still on track to hit our launch window, which opens at 1pm PT / 21:00 GMT. #AboveTheClouds (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AboveTheClouds?src=hashtag_click) $VORB (https://twitter.com/search?q=%24VORB&src=cashtag_click)
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We're primed to get some spectacular views from our onboard cameras, so be sure to tune into our mission livestream, which kicks off at 12:30 PM PT / 20:30 GMT. https://virg.in/47kS (https://t.co/ulJhFpLLAC)

ЦитироватьVirgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
As our team works through our pre-flight checklist, we're taking a little extra time to thoroughly validate the system and to check our sensor readings. (1/4)
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(2/4) We are now targeting Thursday, Jan 13 as our first available launch opportunity, with potential takeoff between ~1pm & 3:30pm Pacific. We have additional windows available in the coming days, if needed.
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(3/4) The launch system, the team, and our customers' satellites remain in excellent shape as we prepare for the start of our latest mission.
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(4/4) Set your alarms and be sure to tune into our mission livestream on Thursday, which kicks off at 12:30pm PT / 20:30 GMT. http://virg.in/47kS

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Who wants to geek out on orbit inclination? (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125183.svg) The spacecraft we are carrying for Above the Clouds mission will be launched to Low Earth Orbit at 500 km circular orbit at 45 degrees inclination! #VirginOrbit (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginOrbit?src=hashtag_click) #AboveTheClouds (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AboveTheClouds?src=hashtag_click) $VORB (https://twitter.com/search?q=%24VORB&src=cashtag_click)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/183859.jpg)
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If all goes successfully, this will be the FIRST TIME EVER that anyone has reached this orbit from the West Coast! Face screaming in fear #Gasp
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What does this mean for the future of opening #SpaceForGood? Rocket It means that Virgin Orbit space ports will have a wider range of where we can go from each location, and our customers can reach much more when they fly with Virgin Orbit!
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We are now targeting Thursday, Jan 13 as our first available launch opportunity, with potential takeoff between ~1pm & 3:30pm Pacific. We have additional windows available in the coming days, if needed.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
The primary for today's mission is the @DeptofDefense (https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense) Space Test Program, which is launching 4 Research and Development (R&D) satellites for its second mission (STP-27VPB) on LauncherOne. #LauncherOne (https://twitter.com/hashtag/LauncherOne?src=hashtag_click) #VirginOrbit (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginOrbit?src=hashtag_click)
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.@DIU_x (https://twitter.com/DIU_x) awarded the STP-27VPB contract to our wholly-owned subsidiary @TheRealVOXSpace (https://twitter.com/TheRealVOXSpace) via the Rapid Agile Launch Initiative (RALI), a project intended to accelerate the procurement of commercial launch capabilities by the US government for missions to Low Earth Orbit. #SmallSat (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmallSat?src=hashtag_click)
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STP-27VPB mission will demonstrate commercially available solutions for placing USSF satellite capabilities in Low Earth Orbit from a modified 747 aircraft. #CosmicGirl (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CosmicGirl?src=hashtag_click) #Space (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Space?src=hashtag_click) #VirginOrbit (https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginOrbit?src=hashtag_click)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Also onboard this mission are two nano-satellites: STORK-3 and SteamSat-2 from Polish satellite firm @SatRevolution (https://twitter.com/SatRevolution)
 #AboveTheClouds (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AboveTheClouds?src=hashtag_click)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/183936.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
STORK-3 and SteamSat-2 join two Marta satellites launched in June 2021. These optical spacecraft will eventually be a 14-satellite constellation, tasked with collecting multispectral medium-resolution imagery and data for agricultural and energy customers.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/183937.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Our final customer with payloads onboard is @SpireGlobal (https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal)  (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125180.svg) The Adler-1 satellite is part of a growing movement to address the issue of dangerous space debris and improve sustainability in Low Earth Orbit. #AboveTheClouds (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AboveTheClouds?src=hashtag_click)
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. @SpireGlobal (https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal) cubesat will study the (micro) space debris environment in Low Earth Orbit to complement the space debris models by obtaining in-situ data.
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The mission name "Above the Clouds" pays homage to hip hop sensation Gang Starr's album, Moment of Truth.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
As Cosmic Girl makes it out to the drop point, check out the flight profile as #LauncherOne (https://twitter.com/hashtag/LauncherOne?src=hashtag_click) travels to orbit.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/183938.jpg)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/75504.jpg)  Virgin Orbit  @VirginOrbit
Confirming a clean separation from Cosmic Girl and successful ignition of LauncherOne's first stage engine, NewtonThree. #AboveTheClouds
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"Blue has gone to black. LauncherOne is in space."
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Confirmed a successful separation of the fairing from stage 2.
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Confirmed "great connection with all of our ground stations".
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Congratulations to our customers and welcome to space!

ЦитироватьVirgin Orbit доставила с помощью своей ракеты ряд спутников на орбиту
НЬЮ-ЙОРК, 14 января. /ТАСС/. Американская компания Virgin Orbit в четверг с помощью своей ракеты-носителя воздушного запуска LauncherOne осуществила вывод ряда военных и гражданских спутников на околоземную орбиту. Об этом сообщила в четверг пресс-служба компании.

Старт модифицированного Boeing-747 с закрепленной под крылом двухступенчатой ракетой-носителем из космопорта в пустыне Мохаве (штат Калифорния) состоялся в 13:38 по времени Тихоокеанского побережья США (00:38 мск), подъем на высоту в 9,5 км и в нужную точку занял чуть больше часа, после чего ракета NewtonFour отделилась от самолета и начала полет к околоземной орбите. "Как мы узнали из центра управления полетами, "Ньютон-4" произвел повторное зажигание и доставил все аппараты заказчиков на расчетные орбиты", - говорится в сообщении компании в Twitter.

На борту космического аппарата находились спутники проверки технологий связи Пентагона, два наноспутника польской компании SatRevolution и аппарат американской компании Spire.

Ракета компании достигает 21,3 м в длину, она способна выводить в космос спутники массой до 500 кг. В компании считают, что ее метод доставки грузов на орбиту обеспечивает большую мобильность - Boeing может взлетать из аэропортов любой страны - и обходится дешевле, чем у конкурентов. Этот старт стал третьим успешным запуском компании, предыдущие два пуска были проведены в январе и июне прошлого года.

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FevcSxFUOPQ 2:43
LauncherOne launches "Above the Clouds"
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220832.jpg)  SciNews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjU6ZwoTQtKWfz1urL7XcbA)
For Virgin Orbit's "Above the Clouds" mission, the "Cosmic Girl" aircraft took off from the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, on 13 January 2022, at 21:39 UTC (13:39 PST). "Cosmic Girl" traveled off the Pacific coast to about 9.6 km (31500ft) in altitude, then released the LauncherOne rocket that launched several small satellites into orbit, at 22:53 UTC (14:53 PST).
Credit: Virgin Orbit

ЦитироватьJonathan McDowell  @planet4589
The satellites from the LauncherOne mission are being tracked in a 495 x 505 km x 45.0 deg orbit; the LOne second stage made a perigee lowering burn to 423 x 497 km at about 2356 UTC Jan 13.