Virgin Galactic space craft

Virgin Galactic has unveiled a new air-launched rocket, known as ‘LauncherOne’, which is designed to send small satellites into orbit, at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show 2012 in the UK.

With LauncherOne project’s funding largely raised from Virgin Galactic’s partner Aabar Investments PJS, commercial flights of the new orbital launch system are expected to begin in 2016.

Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson said LauncherOne has brought the price of satellite launch into the realm of affordability for innovators everywhere, from start-ups and schools to established companies and national space agencies.

"It will be a critical new tool for the global research community, enabling us all to learn about our home planet more quickly and affordably," Branson added.

Capable of carrying about 500lb (225kg), the two-stage LauncherOne launch vehicle will orbit at prices below $10m and will be launched underneath the company’s WhiteKnightTwo carrier airplane.

According to the company, the WhiteKnightTwo carrier airplane is also capable of carrying SpaceShipTwo for suborbital missions.

"Virgin Galactic has unveiled a new air-launched rocket, known as ‘LauncherOne’, which is designed to send small satellites into orbit, at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show 2012 in the UK."

Four private companies have already placed deposits as future LauncherOne customers and are aiming to purchase several dozen launches, Virgin Galactic said.

During the show, Surrey Satellite Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Virgin Galactic to develop enhanced satellite designs compatible with LauncherOne’s performance specifications.

Virgin Galactic said that the optimised designs were expected to reduce their satellite’s time to market.

The company has also received requests from 529 future astronauts for suborbital flights on SpaceShipTwo, which follows the rocket system’s qualification for powered flight and is scheduled to begin before the end of the year.

Image: A replica of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo displayed at Farnbrough Airshow. Photo: courtesy of Virgin Galactic.