What rocket is launching Above the Clouds?

Above the Clouds is launching on the LauncherOne.

Who is launching Above the Clouds?

Above the Clouds is being launched by Virgin Orbit, a commercial launch provider founded in 2017.

Where is Above the Clouds launching from?

Above the Clouds is launching from Mojave Air and Space Port at Air launch to orbit.

What orbit is Above the Clouds heading to?

Above the Clouds is heading to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Is the LauncherOne reusable?

No — the LauncherOne is an expendable launch vehicle.

How many times has the LauncherOne flown?

The LauncherOne has launched 6 times to date, with 4 successful flights.

Back to Launches

Above the Clouds

Communications

Success

Virgin Orbit(VO)Commercial

LauncherOneLEOorbit

Launch time

Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 10:52 PM

Success

At a glance

Status: Launch Successful
Provider: Virgin Orbit
Type: Commercial
Vehicle: LauncherOne
Orbit: LEO
Pad: Mojave Air and Space Port
Location: Air launch to orbit
Designator: 2022-003

Social Flight Log

Jan 13, 2022, 11:57 PM
Launch success.
Source
Jan 13, 2022, 4:37 PM
Updating the window
Source
Jan 11, 2022, 11:33 PM
Now targeting January 13.
Source
Dec 29, 2021, 12:37 AM
Updated launch time.
Source
Dec 23, 2021, 9:23 PM
NET January 12
Source
Dec 21, 2021, 1:17 AM
Launch now planned in January 2022.
Source
Dec 9, 2021, 3:07 PM
New launch date/time per marine space closure notices, to be officially confirmed.
Source
Nov 30, 2021, 5:51 PM
Mentioning of this launch in USCG local warning messages has been removed.
Source
Nov 11, 2021, 3:18 AM
Launch date and window updated per USCG marine space closure notices.
Source
Nov 9, 2021, 2:06 PM
New mission name “Above The Clouds” confirmed.
Source

Overview

Mission to a 500 km circular orbit inclined at 45 degrees carrying eight R&D satellites from US government agencies with communications and navigation experiments as well as two Earth-observation nanosatellites from Polish company SatRevolution.

Mission details

Orbital Attempt

#6,185

VO Mission

Pad Launch

Location Launch

#49

Designator

2022-003

Launch Window

NET

Jan 13, 2022, 10:52 PM

Schedule Changes

1 update

Lift Off

10:20 PM

Window Open

12:50 AM

Window Close

Mojave Air and Space Port

Total Launches

Orbital Attempts

Fastest Turnaround

5mo 13d

Wikipedia Map

Air launch to orbit

Total Launches

Total Landings

Coordinates

35.0594, -118.1517

View location page

Frequently asked questions

LauncherOne Specs

LauncherOne is a two stage orbital launch vehicle developed by Virgin Orbit since 2007. It is an air launch to orbit rocket, designed to launch "smallsat" payloads of 300 kilograms (660 lb) into a Sun-synchronous orbit, following air launch from a carrier aircraft at high altitude.

Length

16 m

Diameter

1.6 m

Launch Mass

30 t

Thrust

327 kN

Capacity

500 kg

Capacity

300 kg

Launch Cost

$12M

Reusable

Maiden Flight

2020

Fastest Turnaround

5mo 13d

Total Launches

Successful

Failed

Consecutive Success

Maiden flight: May 25, 2020

Wikipedia

Virgin Orbit

Virgin Orbit is a company within the Virgin Group which plans to provide launch services for small satellites. The company was formed in 2017 to develop the air-launched LauncherOne rocket, launched from Cosmic Girl, which had previously been a project of Virgin Galactic. Based in Long Beach, California, Virgin Orbit has more than 300 employees led by president Dan Hart, a former vice president of government satellite systems at Boeing. Virgin Orbit focuses on small satellite launch, which is one of three capabilities being focused on by Virgin Galactic. These capabilities are: human spaceflight operations, small satellite launch, and advanced aerospace design, manufacturing, and test

Founded

2017

Administrator

President: Dan Hart

Total Launches

Successful

Failed

Pending

Consecutive Success

Wikipedia Website

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Mojave Air and Space Port

Air launch to orbit

Frequently asked questions

What rocket is launching Above the Clouds?

Who is launching Above the Clouds?

Where is Above the Clouds launching from?

What orbit is Above the Clouds heading to?

Is the LauncherOne reusable?

How many times has the LauncherOne flown?

What is the Above the Clouds mission?