Long Beach-based Virgin Orbit will again attempt to reach space this weekend, with a second demonstration launch of the LauncherOne rocket system set for Sunday.

Rather than blasting off from the ground like a traditional rocket, the company’s LauncherOne rocket is released and launched from under the wing of an inflight, modified 747, flying the rocket above 75% of Earth’s atmosphere before igniting its engine.

In an earlier test launch in May 2020, LauncherOne only ignited for about 10 seconds, cutting out early and falling into the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast. An investigation later determined a breach in a high-pressure line was to blame.

Virgin Orbit says the launch window will open on Sunday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. Nine miniaturized satellites, known as CubeSats, make up Sunday’s payload, including one to help predict space weather and another that will allow students to connect and interact with it via a smartphone app.

 

The LauncherOne rocket is a small-satellite booster designed to carry payloads of up to 1,100 pounds to low Earth orbit. The liquid-fueled rocket is about 70 feet long and uses rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellant.

Virgin Orbit was founded by British billionaire Sir Richard Branson and aims to launch missions for customers at $12 million per flight. The company operates from a 180,000-square-foot manufacturing headquarters in the Douglas Park commercial complex adjacent to Long Beach Airport.

Since the arrival of Virgin Orbit, 2 other orbital launch companies, Rocket Lab and SpinLaunch, have also set up headquarters in Douglas Park as Long Beach has pushed to become a global hub for satellite manufacturing and the private space industry.