#LauncherOne

[jenakuns]

Starship launch woot woot 3am discussion

Yeah so uh holy shit. That was definitely a launch that happened. It's such a weird program; extreme by most metrics that it's kinda hard to think about. The main thing that appears to be catching people up here is RUD vs explosion. I mean, RUD been used for a while now and is sort of a tongue in cheek joke, but I could understand why this being the first exposure could catch people.

There's also this post which is cosmically funny. All the complaining about Blue Origin no orbit has come back to bite the SpaceX stans because jokes on them; people are now confusing the two and saying SpaceX no orbit lol. Cheers @greetings-inferiors you gave us a good laugh.

But that's tumblrs reaction, what's mine? Idk, I laughed a fair bit. Schedules were always shot to hell, so I'm not too fussed in that regard. The rocket itself doesn't matter at this stage; it's the OLM damage, which I suppose separates this other launch failures. I still think H3 failure really reduced my expectations of first launches outcomes. If a country that's been doing launches for 30 years can't successfully launch a fairly conservative evolution of an existing rocket; then all bets are off for everyone else.

It's always nice to have a reset of expectations for the entire program so that means when things happen they can be appreciated rather than trodden over. (cough cough Falcon 9)

Launch wise, it was incredibly scuffed. 3 engines out from the get go which resulted in an extended burn at OLM to gain sufficient TTW resulting in that fat crater. The engines out also resulted in a slide that is scuffed and scary for a vehicle of Starship size. But the flight continued. Then more engines out, an hydraulic power unit explosion, some more engines, and oh yeah the tiles. (I don't care about the tiles). And yet the vehicle still flew. It's showed robustness in the scuffed of situations of it's own creation. When you roll around with B9 and the reliability enhancements, it actually is fairly interesting. They took engine explosions or at least flame outs in their stride, but you know; don't have them in the first place am I right.

The question is now when next flight and that really determines the value of this one. Because it's always the next product™. But presumably the Raptor ops and propellant management will be good outcomes. Also not to use HPU, but that was already a learned lesson. This failure just feels unusual because of the scale I suppose.* (I mean it's automatically notable because Musk rocket failure, but that's beside the point). Like we've had RS-1, ZQ-2, Terran 1, LauncherOne, H3 and Vega failures recently; what's different. Well, entirely different classes. But still, nowhere near media circuses. *+the damage to the ground infrastructure.

To summarize, the vehicles job was to gain experience on the performance of the many subsystems that make up this vehicle. Like autogenous pressurization on a vehicle of this scale as it handles many Raptors (failures) is no small feat. The next 2 Starships have given up heat shields and payloads, because they're also now exclusively marked as flight test vehicles as well. There was a lot of things that went wrong, but it still gave a fair bit of insight into the vehicle for SpaceX. And if that was just it; it would be fine because the next vehicle would be rolling to pad in a couple months. But this happened.

And that means a fair bit of work in repairing, upgrading and potential legal issues to grind out, which will cause delays in its own right. This is what pushes the needle in the direction of not worth it. But shit has happened and will continue to happen; the program will just move on.

Ooo forgot; no new HLS renders; fuckin bullshit world we live in.

[spacenutspod]

Isar Aerospace has announced the completion of static fires on both stage one and stage two of its new Spectrum rocket. The company now says the only thing standing between them and a launch is approval and licensing from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). On February 14, 2025, nine of the company’s Aquila engines, already integrated into the launch vehicle, fired for 30 seconds. This comes after the qualification of the vehicle’s single second stage engine in the third quarter of 2024. The company’s maiden launch will fly from its site at the Andøya Spaceport in Norway. Spectrum’s nine first stage engines and singular second stage engine use liquid oxygen and propane as propellant; a move that the company says produces cleaner propulsion that minimizes environmental impact. Designed, built and tested Pending regulatory approval, we are Go for flight. Read more: https://t.co/F4nmx0zyPO#fromisartospace pic.twitter.com/qHkmE9scvJ — Isar Aerospace (@isaraerospace) February 21, 2025 The engines, designed and manufactured in-house, are high-pressure turbopump-fed and are capable of launching 1,000 kg of payload to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 700 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit. The primary payloads for the Spectrum launch vehicle are designed for small and medium satellites, according to Isar’s website, with a hope to become a primary way to launch satellite constellations, or groups of multiple satellites that operate together in orbit. See AlsoInternational launchers sectionCommercial spaceflight threadNSF storeClick here to join L2 The whole vehicle measures 28 m long with a diameter of two meters. For reference, Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is 1.2 m in diameter and stands 18 m tall. Spectrum’s maiden launch will mark the first private launch of an orbital-class rocket from continental Europe. Currently, Arianespace, a European company, launches from French Guiana in South America. A previous attempt at an orbital launch from Europe two years ago failed when Virgin Orbit, whose Boeing 747 departed from Spaceport Cornwall to air launch an under-wing mounted LauncherOne rocket from the skies over the UK, failed to reach orbit. The company filed for bankruptcy shortly after. Isar Aerospace CEO and Co-Founder Daniel Matzler acknowledged the significance of making European history: “By enabling space access from mainland Europe, we provide a critical resource for ensuring sovereignty and resilience.” Andøya is one of a few newly emerging spaceports within Europe. Along with the previously mentioned Cornwall, SaxaVord Spaceport — formerly the Shetland Space Centre — in Scotland is preparing to host launches from Germany-based Rocket Factory Ausburg and UK-based Orbex. The team has already completed all other pre-flight preparation milestones, including testing and accepting all in-house developed engines, the payload fairing, and the recently completed static fires. Isar Aerospace CTO and Co-Founder Josef Fleischmann noted in a statement that a significant part of their ability to proceed quickly to a launch date is Isar’s in-house work. “Owning the entire value chain of Spectrum gives us maximum flexibility and independence,” Fleischmann said. “We develop, build, and test almost the entire launch vehicle in-house, including our Aquila engines. The flight will be the first integrated test of tens of thousands of components.” According to the company’s website, the Spectrum vehicle is made using carbon composites, and some of its most complex parts are made using 3D printing. Isar states that using high-performance metals in those printers allows for design flexibility and quicker part production times. Furthermore, the company noted that the use of process automation will lead to faster manufacturing with even higher precision and accuracy. Spectrum first stage completes a static fire test ahead of maiden flight. (Credit: Isar Aerospace) Moreover, the company aims to provide a smooth ride for all payloads. This includes another in-house developed system that doesn’t use pyrotechnics to separate rocket elements while in flight. Eliminating pyrotechnics from Spectrum means less jolting to payloads during in-flight events like stage separation and fairing separation. Isar Aerospace, with its headquarters near Munich, Germany, was founded in 2018 with the goal of launching small and medium-sized satellites and on-orbit satellite constellations. The company offers dedicated flights to specified orbits and general rideshare missions where all payloads fly to the same pre-determined orbit. According to Isar, they employ over 400 people from over 50 nations and have facilities in five different international locations. While hopeful for a successful launch, Isar’s co-founders know the uncertainties of launching a rocket for the first time: “Regardless of how far we get, this first test flight will hopefully generate an enormous amount of data and experience which we can apply to future missions,” Fleischmann said. (Lead image: The first stage of Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket completes a static fire test. Credit: Isar Aerospace) The post Isar Aerospace completes static fires of Spectrum rocket ahead of first European launch appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

[seraqueetudoissoemvao]

Vista aérea do CLA

País

Brasil

Estado

Maranhão

Corporação

Força Aérea Brasileira

Subordinação

Comando-Geral de Tecnologia Aeroespacial

Missão

Base de lançamentos de foguetes

Sigla

CLA

Criação

1983

Aniversários

27 de março

Lema

Janela Brasileira

Comando

Diretor

Coronel Luciano Rechiuti

Sede

Sede

Alcântara - Maranhão

Página oficial

www.cla.aer.mil.br

É operado pelo Comando da Aeronáutica da Força Aérea Brasileira. O CLA é a base de lançamento mais próxima da linha do equador.[3] Isso confere ao local de lançamento uma vantagem significativa no lançamento de satélites geossíncronos.

A construção da base começou em 1982. O primeiro lançamento ocorreu em 21 de fevereiro de 1990, quando o foguete de sondagem Sonda 2 XV-53 foi lançado.[4] Em 22 de agosto de 2003, a explosão do terceiro VLS-1 (XV-03) matou 21 pessoas.[5]

Há também planos para o lançamento de vários foguetes internacionais de Alcântara. Em 2003, foram assinados contratos para o lançamento dos foguetes ucranianos Tsyklon-4[6] e israelenses Shavit;[7] além disso, existem outros planos para lançar o foguete russo Proton.[8] No início de 2018, o governo brasileiro ofereceu a possibilidade de uso do espaçoporto para várias empresas estadunidenses.[9] A empresa Virgin Orbit, foi selecionada para voar seu foguete LauncherOne de Alcântara.

[phonemantra-blog]

The new center will be used for the production of Rutherford engines and the development of larger Archimedes engines for the Neutron rocket On October 4, the opening ceremony of the Rocket Lab engine development center took place. The 13,400 square meter building will produce the Rutherford engines used on the Electron rocket, as well as the larger Archimedes engines for the Neutron rocket. The building was previously the headquarters of Virgin Orbit, where the company built its LauncherOne rocket. Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy in April, and Rocket Lab leased the building through a bankruptcy auction in May and purchased the equipment and machinery inside for $16,100,000. [caption id="attachment_64070" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Rocket Lab[/caption] Rocket Lab converts former Virgin Orbit headquarters into engine development center Rocket Lab previously estimated the cost of the building and its contents at approximately $100,000,000. However, according to the company's chief financial officer, Adam Spies, the main value of the purchase lies in reducing the risk associated with expanding engine production. Rocket Lab began moving into a new building immediately after the bankruptcy process was closed. Employees began installing engine production equipment and taking inventory of tools left behind by Virgin Orbit, including industrial equipment and furniture. The company already produces parts for the Archimedes engine and last weekend began moving the Rutherford engine production line to the new building. The full-engine production cycle will be ramped up over the next few months. At the same time, Rocket Lab continues to investigate the failed launch of the Electron rocket on September 19. The investigation is still in the early stages, with no specific time frame for completing the investigation or plans for Electron to resume flights.

[kennak]

4月に経営破綻した空中発射ロケットLauncherOneを手掛けていた宇宙ベンチャーのVirgin Oribit社について、インターステラテクノロジズ代表の稲川氏による「空中発射ロケット企業Virgin Orbitはなぜ破綻したのか？」というnoteが興味深かったので共有したい。 稲川氏による分析を並べると「開発費に10億ドル以上と他の小型ロケットの5~10倍か��っている」「ロケット自体も低コスト化が不十分で原価割れ状態」「無理な上場による厳しい損益分岐点」「海外空港との提携など必要もないのに手を広げすぎ」「空中発射ロケットの技術的問題」「大型化が困難なことによる防衛市場進出の失敗」「株価低迷による資金調達の困難」「幹部がボーイング出身ばかりでベンチャー気質ではなく大企業文化だった」…と多くの原因が挙げられている。 上記の問題点には一般的なものもある一方、機体コストや大型化など空中発射ロケットであったことに起因するものも多々散見されるようにみえる。今回は残念な結果に終わってしまったが、空中発射ロケットが再び日の目を見る日はやってくるだろうか？

空中発射ロケットのVirgin Oribitはなぜ破綻したのか？ | スラド サイエンス

[nawapon17]

SpaceNews: Virgin Orbit completes LauncherOne investigation as Chapter 11 bankruptcy continues

[official-torfmoor]

Weight, drag, complexity and the rocket is going up, i.e. somewhere with less air than on the ground.

Also:

why don't rockets use an air-breathing engine for the first stage?

[biglisbonnews]

Virgin Orbit's share price hit a new record low in the wake of mass layoffs Richard Branson’s rocket company is running out of fuel.Read more... https://qz.com/virgin-orbit-layoffs-share-price-record-low-1850286832

[sudden-stops-kill]

virgin orbit

[kenpiercemedia]

Just when you thought you've seen everything in #newyorkcity a #launcherone #rocketship from #virginairlines appears on #timessquare #observations w #thechronicles of #piercingken #kenpiercemedia (at Times Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYc4ZodrVHl/?utm_medium=tumblr

[readok]

Virgin Orbit успешно запустила ракету-носитель LauncherOne

Virgin Orbit успешно запустила ракету-носитель LauncherOne

17 января Virgin Orbit успешно запустила свою ракету LauncherOne. Носитель стартовал из-под крыла самолета Boeing 747 у побережья Южной Калифорнии. Continue reading

[spaceflight-insider]

Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne system achieves orbit

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne system achieves orbit

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne successfully ignites its engine moments after being dropped by a carrier aircraft to begin its flight toward orbit. Credit: Virgin Orbit After several hours filled with hopeful anticipation, California-based company Virgin Orbit successfully air-launched its LauncherOne rocket Jan. 17 over the Mojave Desert.Continue reading

[phonemantra-blog]

The startup is preparing to launch a satellite designed to produce new semiconductors that could be used in electronic devices on Earth. Space Forge lost its first experimental satellite in January during a failed launch of Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket. The new satellite, called ForgeStar-1, will head to the US for launch in late 2023 or early 2024. Space Forge has signed a collaboration agreement with US multinational aerospace giant Northrop Grumman to provide semiconductor wafers created in space, which Northrop Grumman can then further use in its manufacturing projects. [caption id="attachment_62249" align="aligncenter" width="780"] satellite[/caption] Semiconducting materials are an integral component of many electronic devices, but their production on Earth is expensive and requires large amounts of energy. However, space conditions make it possible to develop new semiconductor materials much more efficiently, said Space Forge CEO and founder Josh Western. UK startup Space Forge is preparing a satellite for semiconductor production in space Manufacturing complex semiconductors is a very labor-intensive and slow process; they are grown atom by atom. Gravity has a strong influence on this process, shifting the bonds between these atoms. In space, you can overcome this barrier because there is no gravity Western added that space is also an attractive environment because of the vacuum, which will be useful in protecting sensitive material from contamination. On Earth, this vacuum is created with the help of industrial machines. The combination of weightlessness and the vacuum of space could allow researchers to create semiconductors that are 10 to 100 times more efficient than those produced on Earth. The ForgeStar-1 satellite, about the size of a microwave oven, will house a miniature automated chemistry laboratory that will allow the team to remotely mix chemical compounds and develop new semiconducting alloys. However, instead of sending materials back to Earth, ForgeStar-1 will transmit the results of experiments to scientists in digital format, since this satellite is not designed to return to Earth. The global semiconductor industry is currently valued at more than $500 billion and is expected to double in size by 2030.

[awesometeennews]

Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne fails to accomplish goal on first test

Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne fails to accomplish goal on first test

[ad_1]

Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson’s privately-funded air-launched rocket has failed to reach space on Monday after being released from company’s specially modified 747 airplanes over the Pacific Ocean. 

Also read: NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!

The rocket was designed to place small satellites into orbit but Virgin Orbit’s two-stage LauncherOne was struck by an…

[nkknspace]

LauncherOne - Demo Flight

LauncherOne – Demo Flight

Status: Upcoming Launch

LauncherOne Demo Flight