Virgin Orbit has secured the first ever launch for its Star Electron rocket. This marks the beginning of a new era for the company and the space industry.
The Virgin Launch was secured by Electron, a small launch vehicle designed to carry smaller payloads while still providing low-cost access to orbit. The rocket is the first commercial launch vehicle of its kind and the first fully reusable launch vehicle. It is expected to provide launch services for missions that are too small or too delicate for larger launch vehicles.
The Virgin Orbit launch will take place in mid-2021 and will be the first launch of the Electron rocket. The payload on this mission will be a MarCO CubeSat, which will be used to gather data from deep space.
Meanwhile, Boeing-backed United Launch Alliance (ULA) has completed its first mission of 2023. The mission will launch ULA’s Delta IV Heavy booster from Launch Complex 37B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Delta IV Heavy will carry the NROL-44 reconnaissance satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
The Delta IV Heavy is the largest rocket ULA has ever developed. It is capable of carrying payloads of more than 11,000 kg to medium and geostationary orbits and is designed to deliver heavy payloads to orbit.
The launch of the Electron and Delta IV Heavy rockets marks a major milestone in space exploration. Both rockets are ushering in an era of increased access to space for small and large payloads alike, providing cost-effective launch options for missions beyond what was previously possible.
Space exploration is truly entering a revolutionary period and these launches are just the start. With more companies seeking to capitalize on the possibilities provided by space exploration, these developments will surely come with greater breakthroughs and exciting new possibilities down the road.
