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If you were in Southern California this weekend, you may have noticed a rather strange show unfolding in the heavens.
On Sunday, Virgin Orbit flew a test flight involving a specially modified 747-400, carrying a 70-foot long rocket under its wing.
Yes, you read correctly: an airplane carrying a rocket.
The aircraft, which Sir Richard Branson affectionately called "Cosmic Girl," served as the "flying launch pad" for the LauncherOne rocket.
(Image: PA)
(Image: PA)
The successful test flight places Virgin Orbit about to launch a rocket into orbit next year.
Long 70 feet, LauncherOne is the length of two London buses and will move at a staggering speed of 17,500 mph – 20 times the speed of sound!
It weighs 57,000 pounds and will carry an additional payload of satellites, which will broadcast everything from the Internet to advanced weather monitoring systems.
(Image: PA)
Virgin Orbit plans to "couple" the rocket to the Cosmic Girl aircraft, which will transport it to an altitude of 30,000 feet.
At this point, the rocket will engage its propellers and take it into space.
Virgin anticipates that this will be possible in early 2019 – we will keep you informed of progress.
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