Virgin Galactic introduces the newest addition to its fleet of vehicles as part of a technical update on its LauncherOne small satellite launch service. The 747-400 commercial jet aircraft, previously operated by Virgin Atlantic under the nickname Cosmic Girl, will provide a dedicated launch platform for the LauncherOne orbital vehicle. The rise of cubesats and microsatellites has meant that at last, commercial satellite start-ups, universities, schools, and even crowdfunding campaigns can put their own satellites into space. However, small satellites need small satellite launch vehicles after all, small satellites cannot truly change the world without cost-effective, frequent rides to space! Most of the small and microsatellites that have already reached space have done so by hitchhiking... catching a ride on a big, expensive rocket. Hitchhiking to space has real drawbacks ... just like hitchhiking here on Earth, when you leave and where you get dropped off are not your decisions to make, there are very strict rules about what you can and can not do during the ride. Those restrictions may be fine if your only goal is to prove that your satellite works in space, but if you are trying to build a business or accomplish a mission, you need your own ride, to the right destination and at the right price. The makers, builders, and satellite entrepreneurs have done their part. Galactic is pressing forward.
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Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-