QuoteIn the next few days, we’ll start the process of attaching our launch pylon (the “hooks” that secure the rocket to the plane) to #CosmicGirl. Soon after, we’ll conduct our first test flights w/ the pylon before moving on to a series of captive carry flights w/ #LauncherOne.https://mobile.twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit/status/1014948024697536517
In the next few days, we’ll start the process of attaching our launch pylon (the “hooks” that secure the rocket to the plane) to #CosmicGirl. Soon after, we’ll conduct our first test flights w/ the pylon before moving on to a series of captive carry flights w/ #LauncherOne.
Explanation of Experiment:Virgin Orbit LLC (“Virgin Orbit”) is requesting “Special Temporary Authority (STA)” to operate an S-BandTransmitter in 2200-2290 MHz band. The request is for the ability to sweep across the 2200-2290MHzband. Virgin Orbit is designing a satellite launch vehicle (“Launcher One”) that will be air launched from amodified 747 airplane (“Cosmic Girl”). The purpose of requesting an STA license is to analyze the effectsof Launcher One’s S-Band Telemetry transmitter on 747 radios.
Explanation of Experiment:Virgin Orbit LLC (“Virgin Orbit”) is requesting “Special Temporary Authority (STA)” to operate an S-BandTransmitter at 2262MHz. If 2262 MHz is unavailable Virgin Orbit is open to any frequency within 2200-2290MHz band. The purpose of the experiment is to test the ability of Virgin Orbit’s Long Beach groundstation to track satellite launch vehicles. Long Beach ground station is receive only and is located at 4022E Conant St., Long Beach, CA 90808. Virgin Orbit plans to use this ground station for tracking its satellitelaunch vehicles. The plan is to fly a small manned aircraft with Quasonix transmitter and antennas aroundLong Beach, CA and track that aircraft using the ground station in Long Beach, CA. The transmitter insidethe aircraft will transmit test data at the assigned frequency. Two different data rates will be tested at thesame assigned frequency. Two Antennas might be used in order to get better coverage, in such a case thesignal from the transmitter will be split between the antennas using a 3dB RF splitter.
Ericson: we mated LauncherOne pylon to Virgin Orbit’s 747 last week; first captive carry test flight in the next week.
Clarification: the upcoming flight is an “envelope expansion” flight of just the 747 and its new pylon, rather than a full-fledged captive carry flight with a LauncherOne vehicle attached.
But then, I can recall another Virgin Orbit executive saying at NewSpace 2018 in late June that the captive carry flight was taking place in “a little over a week”, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Also, that flight is apparently in the “next weeks” and not necessarily next week.
We're making great progress, but we're not flying and never planned to fly a captive carry flight this week.
Just for fun, here's a nice air-to-air photo of Cosmic Girl in flight we haven't shared anyone else. =)We haven't said too much publicly about the pylon in part because, to be honest, in can sound kinda boring to those who haven't worked on it (to us, it's super fascinating, but then again, we are kinda weirdos!), but Guy Norris has a characteristically good write-up in AvWeek for those who want to delve a bit deeper.
Very Redstone!
Does anyone know if Launcher One might have a tailcone fairing enclosing the exhaust nozzle bell for aerodynamic drag reduction? Like the AGM-48 Skybolt and the AGM-69 SRAM missiles.
Quote from: Zed_Noir on 09/13/2018 07:37 pmDoes anyone know if Launcher One might have a tailcone fairing enclosing the exhaust nozzle bell for aerodynamic drag reduction? Like the AGM-48 Skybolt and the AGM-69 SRAM missiles.There is no tailcone fairing.
https://twitter.com/AMP_SoCal/status/1040681629746749440?s=09The post shows Virgin's dual turbo pump arrangement and engine on the test stand. Also you see the throat section of their high expansion thrust chamber. And you can make some inferences about their design too