Rocket DB

Orbital launch vehicle

LauncherOne

RetiredUnited StatesVirgin OrbitSpec: One

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.

Flights flown6
Success rate66.7%4/6
Payload to LEO500kg
Cost per kg to LEO$24,000$12M per launch
Maiden flight2020-05-25
Peak year20212 flights

LauncherOne is built by Virgin Orbit of the United States. Company background, funding, contracts and news for this operator are tracked on Space Index. It first flew on 25 May 2020 and last flew on 9 January 2023.

Flight record

6 records
66.7% success rate4 of 6 flown · 2 failed
2020peak 2021 · 2 flights2023
First flight2020-05-25
Latest flight2023-01-09
Failures2
Consecutive successes0
Fastest turnaround163d 19h

Payload

Per mission profile
Low Earth orbit500kg
Sun-synchronous orbit300kg
Launch cost$12M
Cost per kg to LEO$24,000

Vehicle

One spec
Stages2
Length16m
Diameter1.6m
Launch mass30t
Liftoff thrust327kN
Maiden flight2020-05-25
ReusableNo

Pads used

2 pads
Mojave Air and Space Port5Spaceport Cornwall1

Orbits delivered

2 orbits
Low Earth Orbit5Polar Orbit1

Launch history

6 launches
DateMissionPadOrbitOutcome
2023-01-09LauncherOne | Start Me UpSpaceport CornwallLow Earth OrbitFailure
2022-07-02LauncherOne | Straight UpMojave Air and Space PortLow Earth OrbitSuccess
2022-01-13LauncherOne | Above the CloudsMojave Air and Space PortLow Earth OrbitSuccess
2021-06-30LauncherOne | Tubular Bells, Part OneMojave Air and Space PortLow Earth OrbitSuccess
2021-01-17LauncherOne | Launch Demo 2Mojave Air and Space PortPolar OrbitSuccess
2020-05-25LauncherOne | Launch DemoMojave Air and Space PortLow Earth OrbitFailure

Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.

Further reading: Wikipedia