Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Virgin Galactic opens LauncherOne facility

Space

Virgin Galactic opens LauncherOne facility

Virgin Galactic has leased a new 150,000 square foot facility that will house design and manufacturing of the company's small satellite launch vehicle, LauncherOne.

Above: Photo taken from SpaceShipOne by Brian Binnie.
Copyright Virgin Galactic

LauncherOne is a new two-stage orbital launch vehicle being designed by Virgin Galactic specifically to launch commercial or governmental satellites that weigh 500 pounds (225 kilograms) or less. Much like SpaceShipTwo, the company’s reusable vehicle for space tourism, LauncherOne is designed to be launched from the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, giving customers the ability to avoid crowded and expensive launch ranges while also picking the launch location best suited for their mission. Located at the Long Beach Airport, this new facility will allow easy transportation of rockets and of customers’ satellites using WhiteKnightTwo.

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation RT

Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides said: “The technical progress our team has made designing and testing LauncherOne has enabled a move into a dedicated facility to produce the rocket at quantity. With New Mexico’s magnificent Spaceport America for our commercial spaceflight operations, our Mojave facilities for WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo production, and now our new facility in Long Beach for LauncherOne, we are building capability to serve our expanding customer community.”

Virgin Galactic will be hosting a job fair and open house at the new facility on Saturday March 7. Prospective applicants looking for more information should visit virgingalactic.com in the coming days for complete job listings and for more information on the open house.

With a launch price aimed to be the lowest in the nation or perhaps the world, LauncherOne has already attracted the interest of numerous small satellite manufacturers and operators. Among them is the recently announced OneWeb project designed to deliver broadband services to areas of the world not currently served by terrestrial networks. This and other ambitious projects are expected keep the Long Beach facility busy for many years to come.

Advertisement
Farsound RT Brain

US Congressman Alan Lowenthal expressed his support regarding Virgin Galactic’s move to the area, saying. “I want to welcome Virgin Galactic to Long Beach and I applaud their commitment both to the state and to Southern California. This proves again that Southern California has the tools, the skills, and the talent to push not only the bounds of technology, but in this case, the bonds of Earth itself.”

“California and Los Angeles County have always been home to the true pioneers of the aerospace business,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “We’re thrilled that Long Beach attracted a tenant like Virgin Galactic, a world-renowned leader of the commercial space industry. This is one of the most exciting and dynamic businesses in the country, and they are bringing excellent jobs we need for the talented and hard-working aerospace professionals who already call Long Beach home.”

“I’m extremely proud that Virgin Galactic has chosen Long Beach for its new facility and excited to welcome them to the community,” said Long Beach 5th District Councilwoman Stacy Mungo. “I have great respect for our aviation history, and this innovative satellite project will bring a spotlight to Long Beach and to our partnerships for economic development.”

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation LB 1
UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices

Space

UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices

27 March 2024

The UK Space Agency is opening new headquarters at the Harwell Science Campus’ Space Cluster in Oxfordshire, and offices in Scotland, Wales and the Midlands.

Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

Space

Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

22 March 2024

Airbus has been awarded a contract to design and build the GRACE-C twin spacecraft by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL (Pasadena, California).

UK tech firms selected for Government support in Japan

Aerospace Space

UK tech firms selected for Government support in Japan

21 March 2024

Four innovative UK tech companies have been selected to receive Government support from the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme to accelerate their plans for expansion in Japan.

Viasat expanding in-flight connectivity of Korean Air fleet

Aerospace Space

Viasat expanding in-flight connectivity of Korean Air fleet

20 March 2024

Viasat has been selected to power in-flight connectivity onboard 40 additional aircraft by Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier.

Advertisement
Farsound RT 2
Serco welcomes Sarah AlHabbas as first Space Graduate

Space

Serco welcomes Sarah AlHabbas as first Space Graduate

20 March 2024

Serco has welcomed its first Space Graduate, Sarah AlHabbas, helping to advance Saudi talent in the space sector.

Viasat

Aerospace Space

Viasat's IFC selected by Royal Jordanian Airlines

18 March 2024

Royal Jordanian Airlines and Viasat have announced that the airline will officially make high-speed Wi-Fi a priority to enhance its future passenger experience by selecting Viasat's in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution across multiple fleets.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2