Page 105 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

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Virgin Orbit Successfully Launches Seven Satellites

Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) has confirmed Systems in April 2020 by the United States security space, our nation, and our world.
the success of its fourth consecutive Space Force as a three-launch mission. An incredibly talented Virgin Orbit team
satellite launch mission. This launch, STP-S28A is the first of those launches. The and our LauncherOne system continue to
named Straight Up, carried seven satellites Straight Up launch marked the company’s demonstrate a track record of success for
to Low Earth Orbit for the United States fourth successful commercial flight. The our spacecraft customers and that was
Space Force (USSF), who procured this U.S. Space Force Rocket Systems Launch confirmed again today,” said Virgin Orbit
launch for the Rocket Systems Launch Program is a first-time customer for Virgin CEO Dan Hart. The launch’s name, Straight
Program, with payloads provided by Orbit. The U.S. Department of Defense Up, is inspired by American singer Paula
the Department of Defense Space Test Space Test Program is a three-time repeat Abdul’s breakthrough song from her debut
Program (STP). In support of its mission customer of Virgin Orbit. “The LauncherOne studio album, Forever Your Girl. Released
partners, Virgin Orbit has now delivered a rocket and Virgin Orbit team have made me through Virgin Records on June 21,1988,
total of thirty-three satellites to orbit with immensely proud with today’s Straight Up it was the most successful debut album
100% mission success. Virgin Orbit’s fully mission,” said Virgin Orbit founder Richard ever at the time of its release. The iconic
mobile LauncherOne system conducted Branson. “There is so much potential benefit dance-pop tune has remained Abdul’s
its first ever evening flight from a bare for everyone from space if we just manage biggest international hit to date. Following
concrete pad and a runway at the Mojave it well together. We are delighted for the the success of this launch, the Virgin Orbit
Air and Space Port in California. The launch opportunity to work with the US government team is preparing for its first international
began at 10:50 p.m. local time, Friday, to help make space a safe and fruitful launch later this year in collaboration with
July 1, and concluded with the successful environment for all.” “We are honored to be the United Kingdom Space Agency, the
deployment of all seven payloads at supporting and delivering for the U.S. Space Royal Air force, and Space Port Cornwall.
approximately 12:55 a.m. Pacific on Force and the U.S. Department of Defense This will be the first orbital launch ever from
the morning of July 2, completing the at such a critical juncture for national UK soil.
company’s first nighttime demonstration
of the company’s responsive space launch
capabilities. The launch reached an orbit
approximately 500km above the Earth’s
surface at 45 degrees inclination. This was
Virgin Orbit’s second time reaching that
inclination – an orbit that no other system
has ever reached from the West Coast. The
seven satellites deployed by the result of
the Straight Up launch are from multiple
government agencies and will facilitate
experiments intended to demonstrate
innovative spacecraft technologies, new
approaches for satellite applications, and
Earth atmospheric science. The contract to
launch this mission, also dubbed STP-S28,
was awarded to Virgin Orbit National

SpaceX Completes 24th Starlink

Launch This Year

SpaceX has launched 54 Starlink satellites from Space Launch
Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in
Florida. This was the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage
booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-
24 and now one Starlink mission. The mission was SpaceX’s 57th
Starlink mission to date. It was SpaceX's fourth Starlink mission in
August and 24th Starlink mission this year.

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