Virgin Orbit has unveiled its new rocket LauncherOne, which is set to be launched into orbit for the first time by a repurposed Boeing 747 plane next year.
New pictures show the LauncherOne being "mated" for the first time with a customised Virgin Atlantic plane named 'Cosmic Girl' at the Virgin Orbit base in Long Beach, California, marking a major milestone for the project.
When fully operational, LauncherOne will be strapped to the bottom of Cosmic Girl as it blasts off from Earth to deliver satellites into space.
The plane will carry the rocket to more than 30,000 feet before LauncherOne engages its thrusters and flies into orbit.
LauncherOne will make its maiden voyage early next year, Sir Richard Branson said wrote in a blog post on Virgin's website.
Travelling at more than 20 times the speed of sound (17,500 mph), LauncherOne's payload will carry satellites which could be as small as a loaf of bread or as large as a household refrigerator.
The satellites will deliver everything from internet, in even the most remote regions, to advanced weather tracking systems to help in the battle against climate change.
The rocket is the length of two London buses and weighs 25,800kg, which is the equivalent to 25 small family cars.
The new images show the team carrying out an integration chaeck of the rocket with Cosmic Girl "to verify mechanical, electrical, software, and dynamics all work together", Sir Richard wrote in a blog for Virgin.
He said: "It’s an incredibly exciting moment for us, as Virgin Orbit’s first test flights move ever closer."
Cosmic Girl is the first 747 that has been converted to launch rockets.
It is the "ultimate upcycling", Sir Richard said.
He said: "This means it can fly thousands of miles in any direction at 24 hours notice to deliver to the right orbit.
"Currently, people have to wait between 18 and 24 months for manufacturing and a ground launch."
LauncherOne will operate from a variety of locations independently of traditional launch ranges and will have the ability to operate through or around weather conditions and other impediments that delay traditional launches.
The Virgin founder added: “The mission of Virgin Orbit, making small satellites more frequent, sustainable, efficient and affordable, is so exciting.
“Satellites are already connecting us to our fellow humans, helping us understand our home planet, keeping us safe and expand the limits of human knowledge.
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‘The innovations this team are working towards will bring people even closer together and help communities to thrive all around the world.”
