First test of Virgin Orbit rocket fails to accomplish goal

[turbinetree]

Source: Raw Story

Published 3 mins ago on May 25, 2020
By Agence France-Presse



The first test launch of a rocket that is released from a jumbo jet at 35,000 feet and then propels itself into orbit to deploy a satellite failed on Monday, the Virgin Orbit company said.

“The mission terminated shortly into the flight. Cosmic Girl and our flight crew are safe and returning to base,” Virgin Orbit’s Twitter account reported as the test was underway off the coast of California.

The plane released the rocket cleanly, but the latter developed trouble of unknown origin after igniting its first-stage engine, the company said.

Founded by British billionaire Richard Branson in 2012, Virgin Orbit wants to offer a quick and flexible launch service for operators of small satellites, weighing between 300 and 500 kilos (600 to 1,00 pounds), a market which is currently booming.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/2020/05/first-test-of-virgin-orbit-rocket-fails-to-accomplish-goal/

[Jeorge IX]

1. Not Sad

I've never been a fan of Branson. His treatment of women is, as the British say, "not entirely above board."

[SpankMe]

2. We in the rocket business are reluctant to say our business is currently "booming".

We prefer to say that it's currently "flying high" or is "on the ascent" or is "sky-rocketing".

[reACTIONary]

5. +10 nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. From The Right Stuff:

[whistler162]

3. What they found out the rocket had a

one night stand before its launch and lost its virginity?

[greenjar_01]

4. First test of Virgin Rocket fails...reminds me of high school

[lagomorph777]

8. LOL

Premature ignition, or failure to launch?

[greenjar_01]

9. Yes

[CloudWatcher]

6. Why so secretive?

An anomaly then occurred early in first stage flight.
...
Asked by AFP if the rocket had been lost, a company spokesman did not immediately respond.

So it sounds like it blew up but they don't want to admit it? Why the secrecy?

[relayerbob]

7. May simply not know

If it was an onboard automated self-destruct, they may not have enough data. We can safely assume that it was self-destructed, as that is SOP, but why may not be clear yet