Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Virgin Orbit to launch 11 satellites for NASA on Launch Demo 2

Space

Virgin Orbit to launch 11 satellites for NASA on Launch Demo 2

Virgin Orbit’s upcoming Launch Demo 2 mission on LauncherOne will carry 11 small satellites from NASA onboard, as part of NASA’s CubeSat Initiative (CSLI).

Above: NASA - Virgin Orbit mission 2020.
Image courtesy Virgin Orbit

The mission is planned to occur before the end of the year, with Virgin Orbit’s carrier aircraft Cosmic Girl taking off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Once in orbit, the satellites will conduct a variety of scientific studies and demonstrate new spacecraft technology. By supporting NASA, university-led scientific research and orbital technology demonstrations, the mission strikes at the heart of Virgin Orbit’s purpose of opening access to space for good.

Advertisement
Teledyne

NASA was one of the first customers to sign up for a flight onboard Virgin Orbit’s new rocket, purchasing a flight through a competitive selection process run by NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services programme (VLCS), which was designed to help open the door for future dedicated launch opportunities through new, firm fixed-price commercial launch capabilities. True to the spirit of the VCLS program, NASA has elected to fly on this Launch Demo-2 test flight. Nearly every satellite that will be onboard LauncherOne for this mission has been fully designed and built by universities across the US.

The missions manifested for flight include:

  • PolarCube (University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado)
  • MiTEE (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan)
  • CACTUS-1 (Capitol Technology University, Laurel, Maryland)
  • Q-PACE (University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida)
  • TechEdSat-7 (NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California)
  • RadFXSat-2 (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee)
  • EXOCUBE (California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California)
  • CAPE-3 (University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana)
  • PICS (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah). This mission consists of multiple CubeSats.
  • INCA (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico)

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Once in orbit, the satellites will conduct a variety of scientific studies as well as demonstrate new spacecraft technology.

“Expanding our domestic capability for small satellite launches is of great importance to NASA, CSLI and the Launch Services Programme,” said Scott Higginbotham, mission manager and CSLI/ELaNa lead for NASA. “The combination of innovative small satellites and new dedicated launch vehicles like the ones we are using through the VLCS programme will help unlock new ways for NASA to conduct science and to advance space technology. We are excited to be part of this important demonstration mission and to have the opportunity to put these amazing spacecraft into orbit.”

Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart said: “We are so very honoured to be supporting NASA by flying these payloads on our upcoming Launch Demo mission. NASA’s mission, coupled with the opportunity to provide a boost to space for university students, is incredibly inspiring to our whole team. It aligns perfectly with our central theme being to open space for everyone. The Virgin Orbit team is hard at work putting the final touches on our next rocket and doing everything possible to assure a safe and successful flight."

 

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Research conducted on ethical development of UK spaceports

Space

Research conducted on ethical development of UK spaceports

25 July 2025

A Northumbria University academic is helping to ensure the UK’s ambitions to build a thriving space economy shall not have a negative impact to communities on Earth.

UK signs trade deal with India

Aerospace Defence Security Space

UK signs trade deal with India

24 July 2025

Today, the Prime Minister has welcomed nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins, set to create over 2,200 British jobs across the country as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India, following the signing of an historic UK-India trade deal.

FCDO Services selects NSSLGlobal for critical comms services

Defence Security Space

FCDO Services selects NSSLGlobal for critical comms services

24 July 2025

FCDO Services has selected NSSLGlobal to provide satellite hardware, airtime and training to support UK diplomatic, development, consular and disaster response communications.

Boeing built O3b mPOWER satellites launched

Defence Space

Boeing built O3b mPOWER satellites launched

23 July 2025

Boeing engineers have confirmed the ninth and tenth O3b mPOWER satellites, built for space solutions company SES, have successfully launched and are transmitting signals from space after lifting off yesterday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 5:12 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Rocket test facility set to support UK space sector

Space

Rocket test facility set to support UK space sector

23 July 2025

A Cold War-era armoured building close to the Mull of Kintyre is set to see action again as the base for a cutting-edge rocket test and teaching facility.

UK Moonlight team expands

Space Events

UK Moonlight team expands

18 July 2025

Viasat, SSTL and MDA Space have announced they are working together to develop designs and proposals for a lunar orbiting communications satellite system around the Moon, called Moonlight.

Advertisement
Teledyne