LONG BEACH, CA — MAY 09, 2022 — Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) has entered flight preparation mode for its forthcoming launch, Straight Up, that will support the United States Space Force’s STP-28A mission. After departing Virgin Orbit’s Long Beach rocket factory on Thursday, April 28, 2022, the rocket arrived at the Mojave Air and Space Port. It will support the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) and will carry payloads for the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP). Integration testing with airplane and ground equipment will take place followed by a full launch rehearsal and final mating to the customized 747 that serves as Virgin Orbit’s flying and fully re-usable launch pad and mobile mission control room. Launch is expected no earlier than June 29. The launch window is projected to open at 8 pm local time, representing the first night mission for the responsive launch company. The target orbit is approximately 500km above the Earth’s surface at 45 degrees inclination – an orbit that no other system has reached from the West Coast. Playing a key role in the Straight Up launch will be the Virgin Orbit National Systems team, which has developed and provided services to the national security community, focused on defense and the protection of the United States and its allies through Virgin Orbit’s responsive space capabilities. To date, Virgin Orbit has launched three successful back-to-back launches, including eight DoD Science & Technology demonstrations across two flights. The launch name, Straight Up, is inspired by American singer Paula Abdul’s breakthrough song Straight Up from her debut studio album Forever Your Girl. Released through Virgin Records on June 21,1988, it was the most successful debut album ever at the time of its release. The iconic dance-pop tune has remained Abdul’s biggest international hit to date. “Virgin Orbit has been rising ‘straight up’ since we began commercial launch operations 18 months ago,” said Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart. “More and more, we are seeing the importance of space to the security of the U.S. and allied countries. We are honored and committed to supporting the Space Force at this critical time.” Mark Baird, President of the newly renamed Virgin Orbit National Systems (formerly VOX Space) added, “We believe this launch will demonstrate the significant maturation and operationalization of a unique capability. I’m excited to see Straight Up, wheels up.” Mission Manifest:- U.S. Space Force has procured this launch for the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), with payloads provided by the DoD Space Test Program (STP). - The launch will carry seven satellites from multiple government agencies that are experiments intended to demonstrate novel modular satellite bus, space domain awareness, and adaptive radio frequency technologies. - The Straight Up launch will support the United States Space Force’s STP-28A mission. The contract to launch STP-28A was awarded to Virgin Orbit National Systems on April 2020 by the United States Space Force.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-OFFSHORE CALIFORNIA-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONSVirgin Orbit will be launching a two stage rocket from offshore Channel Islands, CA, on 29 June, 2022, between 10:00pm until 2:00am, with a backup dates of 30 June and 01 July, 2022. Due to the potential for falling debris the Coast Guard is issuing an advisory encompassing all navigable waters from the surface to the seafloor within the following coordinates:Northern Area:32-50-26N 121-27-24W33-00-46N 121-08-27W32-30-03N 120-39-50W32-16-58N 120-15-44W29-28-01N 117-59-25W29-14-44N 118-21-01W31-54-25N 120-49-15W32-17-37N 120-58-41WSouthern Area:23-35-23N 114-40-28W24-17-01N 113-28-48W22-40-26N 111-55-10W21-05-18N 111-08-19W20-15-31N 112-09-40W21-37-00N 113-41-00WAdvisory of the zone will be advertised via Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Mariners are requested to transit the area with caution. For more details or comments contact Collin Corey at 661-754-4371.
NextSpaceFlight indicates that the launch will be at 05:00 UTC
From this week's USCG District 11 weekly Local Notice to Mariners. Dates and times are PDT (UTC-07:00).Quote from: USCGSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-OFFSHORE CALIFORNIA-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONSVirgin Orbit will be launching a two stage rocket from offshore Channel Islands, CA, on 29 June, 2022, between 10:00pm until 2:00am, with a backup dates of 30 June and 01 July, 2022. Due to the potential for falling debris the Coast Guard is issuing an advisory encompassing all navigable waters from the surface to the seafloor within the following coordinates:Northern Area:32-50-26N 121-27-24W33-00-46N 121-08-27W32-30-03N 120-39-50W32-16-58N 120-15-44W29-28-01N 117-59-25W29-14-44N 118-21-01W31-54-25N 120-49-15W32-17-37N 120-58-41WSouthern Area:23-35-23N 114-40-28W24-17-01N 113-28-48W22-40-26N 111-55-10W21-05-18N 111-08-19W20-15-31N 112-09-40W21-37-00N 113-41-00WAdvisory of the zone will be advertised via Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Mariners are requested to transit the area with caution. For more details or comments contact Collin Corey at 661-754-4371.
One week until our CTIM-FD CubeSat launches! For 40 years scientists have used space-based instruments to measure the radiation Earth receives from the ☀️. Maintaining this record is crucial for understanding & mitigating the effects of climate change: https://go.nasa.gov/3zRkgfT
250019Z JUN 22NAVAREA XII 413/22(18,21).EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 300500Z TO 300900Z JUN, ALTERNATE 0500Z TO 0900Z DAILY 01 AND 02 JUL IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 32-49.55N 121-27.83W, 32-17.95N 120-59.05W, 31-53.47N 120-50.21W, 30-29.20N 119-24.23W, 30-43.87N 118-59.75W, 32-19.49N 120-16.11W, 32-30.38N 120-39.89W, 33-01.84N 121-09.69W. B. 23-35.40N 114-40.47W, 24-17.03N 113-28.81W, 22-40.44N 111-55.17W, 21-05.31N 111-08.33W, 20-15.52N 112-09.67W, 21-37.01N 113-41.01W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 021000Z JUL 22.
