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Virgin Orbit successfully launched satellites into orbit for the first time using a LauncherOne launch vehicle launched from the Cosmic Girl aircraft, a specially modified Boeing 747. The payload consisted of nine small satellites prepared by NASA and several universities.
The previous flight was unsuccessful – the rocket engine did not turn on. This time it worked normally and the rocket entered the specified orbit.
The use of an air launch system is expected to reduce the cost of launching small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Another advantage is the wide variety of launch points.
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