What rocket is launching Start Me Up?

Start Me Up is launching on the LauncherOne.

Who is launching Start Me Up?

Start Me Up is being launched by Virgin Orbit, a commercial launch provider founded in 2017.

Where is Start Me Up launching from?

Start Me Up is launching from Spaceport Cornwall at Air launch to orbit.

What orbit is Start Me Up heading to?

Start Me Up 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

Start Me Up

Name: Start Me Up — LauncherOne
Start: 2023-01-09T23:08:00Z
End: 2023-01-10T00:16:00Z
Location: Spaceport Cornwall

Earth Science

Failure

Virgin Orbit(VO)Commercial

LauncherOneLEOorbit

At a glance

Status: Launch Failure
Provider: Virgin Orbit
Type: Commercial
Vehicle: LauncherOne
Orbit: LEO
Pad: Spaceport Cornwall
Location: Air launch to orbit

Social Flight Log

Jan 9, 2023, 11:57 PM
Launch failed.
Source
Jan 9, 2023, 11:11 PM
Drop and ignition confirmed
Source
Jan 9, 2023, 10:21 PM
Updated T-0 post-take off
Source
Jan 9, 2023, 9:18 PM
Coverage live
Source
Jan 7, 2023, 5:51 PM
Updated NET rocket dropping & ignition time.
Source
Jan 6, 2023, 1:36 PM
Go for launch.
Source
Jan 4, 2023, 4:18 PM
Targeting January 9
Source
Dec 15, 2022, 10:26 AM
NET January 2023
Source
Dec 8, 2022, 8:33 AM
NET Late December
Source
Dec 6, 2022, 3:48 PM
NET December 14
Source
Oct 27, 2022, 1:21 PM
NET November
Source
Sep 30, 2022, 6:32 PM
NET October 29
Source
Sep 15, 2022, 2:29 AM
Launch unlikely to occur in September 2022 with mission rehearsal and launch license still pending as of September 13
Source
Jul 3, 2022, 7:14 AM
NET September
Source
May 25, 2022, 5:19 PM
Targeting August
Source
Apr 28, 2022, 2:29 PM
Adding launch
Source

Status details

Failure reason

2nd stage engine failure at ~17000 km/h after 2nd stage fuel filter within the fuel feedline was dislodged from its normal position, causing lower than usual fuel flow and subsequent rise in engine combustion chamber temperature.

Overview

7 payloads for government and private customers. This mission is the first launch from the United Kingdom.

Mission details

Orbital Attempt

#6,372

VO Mission

Pad Launch

Location Launch

#51

Launch Window

NET

Jan 9, 2023, 11:08 PM

Schedule Changes

1 update

Lift Off

10:16 PM

Window Open

12:16 AM

Window Close

Spaceport Cornwall

Total Launches

Orbital Attempts

Wikipedia Info Map

Air launch to orbit

Total Launches

Total Landings

Coordinates

50.4408, -4.9975

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

Status details

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Spaceport Cornwall

Air launch to orbit

Frequently asked questions

What rocket is launching Start Me Up?

Who is launching Start Me Up?

Where is Start Me Up launching from?

What orbit is Start Me Up heading to?

Is the LauncherOne reusable?

How many times has the LauncherOne flown?

What is the Start Me Up mission?