It's a beautiful day for a flight to space! Join us as we launch our Tubular Bells: Part One mission this morning, carrying payloads to orbit for three customers from three different countries. #TubularBells
virginorbit.com/livestream
virginorbit.com/livestream
Our mission livestream will kick off as planned at 5:30 AM PDT/12:30 PM UTC — but we're targeting an updated takeoff time of ~6:50 AM PDT/1:50 PM UTC. We'll also live-tweet updates we progress through major milestones, so keep an eye on our feed here.
The primary for today’s mission is the @DeptofDefense Space Test Program, which is launching four R&D satellites for its first mission (STP-27VPA) on LauncherOne. #TubularBells
.@DIU_x awarded the STP-27VP mission to our wholly-owned subsidiary @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.
@DIU_x @TheRealVOXSpace Also onboard this mission are two 3U CubeSats, STORK-4 and STORK-5, from Polish satellite firm @SatRevolution.
@DIU_x @TheRealVOXSpace @SatRevolution These optical spacecraft are the first to be launched in what will eventually be a 14-satellite constellation, tasked with collecting multispectral medium-resolution imagery and data for agricultural and energy customers.
@DIU_x @TheRealVOXSpace @SatRevolution Our final payload for this mission comes all the way from the Netherlands: it's BRIK-II, the first military satellite ever launched by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (@Kon_Luchtmacht).
Built and integrated by @isis_space, this 6U CubeSat will serve as a testbed for a variety of communications experiments, and demonstrate how small satellites can make meaningful contributions to RNLAF's ongoing operations.
Tubular Bells: Part One comes about 5 months after our hugely successful Launch Demo 2 mission, during which LauncherOne deployed 10 NASA-sponsored spacecraft into Low Earth Orbit.
On the heels of that awesome flight, we're now ready to take the next step in our commercial service: ramping up our rocket production rate and launch cadence in order to provide frequent, affordable flights to space for our growing manifest of customers.
Quick update from Mojave: LauncherOne's tanks are now fully loaded with RP-1, our fuel, and liquid oxygen (LOX). #TubularBells
We actually subcool the LOX as it's routed to the rocket, so that it can warm up to the most efficient temperature for engine burn as we travel out to the drop site.
LOX loading and all other hands-on activities on the ground are managed by our small but mighty launch ops crew, A.K.A. the Wolf Pack. As a team, they're a well-oiled machine: highly trained and extremely precise.
Still holding to our expected takeoff time, about 20 minutes from now.
Our Pilot-in-Charge today, as you might have guessed, is the one and only Kelly Latimer, who has expertly helmed Cosmic Girl throughout our initial flight test program and launch demonstrations as Chief Test Pilot.
Kelly is joined in the cockpit by Chief Pilot Eric Bippert, who brings with him over 1,000 hours of experience in test flights alone.
Observing from the jumpseat is Flight Lt. Matthew Stannard (AKA Stanny), an awesomely talented @RoyalAirForce pilot on secondment with the Virgin Orbit team.
Rounding out our Cosmic Girl crew are launch engineers Jason Panzarino and Bryce Schaefer, who will be monitoring data from the aircraft and the rocket from their stations on the upper deck.
Our flight crew have boarded the aircraft, and we're getting ready for taxi and takeoff soon. #TubularBells
Cosmic Girl has just taken off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. #TubularBells
Godspeed, Cosmic Girl! Anticipating rocket drop at ~7:47 AM PDT.
Once we arrive at the drop site, the pilots will fly Cosmic Girl in a looping "racetrack" pattern as we look to clear final go/no-go calls.
All systems are looking healthy.
Cosmic Girl has entered the racetrack.
It's time now for final checks before our flight crew initiates the terminal count autosequence. Once triggered, LauncherOne's computers will take full autonomous control over the system in the few minutes prior to drop.
Terminal count autosequence has been initiated. Anticipating rocket drop in less than 15 minutes. #TubularBells
Confirming a clean separation from Cosmic Girl and successful ignition of LauncherOne's first stage engine, NewtonThree. #TubularBells
Hearing now that we've cleared Max Q, the point at which a rocket experiences the maximum amount of aerodynamic force.
A beautiful full-duration burn from NewtonThree! 🔥 Confirming main engine cutoff (MECO).
And there goes 50 miles altitude...! Nice to see you again, space. #TubularBells
Confirming successful stage separation and ignition of LauncherOne's second stage engine, NewtonFour.
Those of you watching the livestream will have noticed the fairing halves have been jettisoned, exposing our customers' satellites to space.
LauncherOne has once again successfully reached orbit. #TubularBells
Unlike NewtonThree, which burns only once per mission, NewtonFour completes multiple burns to ensure we deploy the satellites precisely into their target orbits. As planned, the upper stage has now shut down and will coast for a bit before relighting to complete the mission.
Preliminary analysis of the data tells us we perfectly hit our target orbit and payloads are deploying. #TubularBells
Closing out this thread with a final confirmation that all payloads have been successfully deployed into our target orbit. Another fantastic day for the Virgin Orbit team, and a big step forward for our three customers!
We're incredibly proud to have completed another flawless mission to space with our one-of-a-kind launch system. We'll share more photos and videos from today as soon as we can. Here's to many more launches — and soon!
There is no greater sight in the world. Or off it.
Congratulations to our three customers on a perfect start to their missions.
#TubularBells
Congratulations to our three customers on a perfect start to their missions.
#TubularBells
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