Virgin Galactic launch vehicle attractive to U.S. military
Spaceflight Now
As Virgin Galactic prepares to roll out its suborbital passenger spaceship, U.S. military officials seeking low-cost, responsive access to space are studying the company’s latest exotic concept to deliver small satellites to orbit.
Peter Wegner, director of the Pentagon’s Operationally Responsive Space program, said the private firm’s conceptual air-launched rocket design is “attractive” for potential military missions.
Virgin Galactic will unveil its suborbital SpaceShipTwo spacecraft Monday in a ceremony in Mojave, Calif….
Virgin Galactic’s plans for a small satellite launcher were given a significant boost in July, when Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments took an equity stake in the company.
Aabar is investing $280 million and taking a 32 percent stake in Virgin Galactic’s holding company. Aabar may also commit up to $110 million more to fund Virgin Galactic’s satellite launch vehicle, dubbed LauncherOne.
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