Virgin Orbit's first mission fails

摘要

COSMIC GIRL released its LauncherOne payload above the Pacific Ocean and the rocket's booster engine ignited before the mission was terminated. Virgin Orbit, manufacturers of the 747-400 carrier aircraft, reported "an anomaly" shortly into the May 25 test flight. Cosmic Girl departed Mojave Air and Space Port, California, with LauncherOne carried on a pylon under its port wing, before it was put into a 'racetrack' pattern above the Pacific Ocean so the rocket could be positioned in the allowable launch corridor. The 747 climbed at a 30° angle before LauncherOne was released cleanly, The guidance and control system controlled the rocket in powered flight and steered it, but then the unspecified "anomaly" occurred that led to the flight's termination shortly after. Beforehand, Virgin Orbit had put the chances of the first mission's success at 50:50 and admitted afterwards: "Clearly, we have things to learn and something to fix."