Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: Virgin Orbit

The recent Virgin Orbit launch mishap is being analyzed with preliminary data under review that already sheds some light on the premature shutdown of the “Start Me Up” air-launched rocket mission.

Virgin Orbit has begun an internal investigation into root causes of the failure after the mission departed on January 9^th from the newly commissioned Spaceport Cornwall in the UK.

After release from the aircraft, Cosmic Girl, the rocket ignited its first stage engine, quickly going hypersonic and successfully completed the stage one burn.

Image credit: Virgin Orbit

Initial data assessments indicate that the first stage of the rocket performed as expected. Following that stage separation, ignition of the upper stage, and fairing separation similarly occurred per the planned mission timeline, according to a Virgin Orbit statement issued today.

Safety corridor

However, later in the mission, at an altitude of approximately 112 miles (180 kilometers), the rocket’s upper stage experienced an anomaly.

“This anomaly prematurely ended the first burn of the upper stage,” the statement adds. “This event ended the mission, with the rocket components and payload falling back to Earth within the approved safety corridor without ever achieving orbit.”

Image credit: Virgin Orbit

Virgin Orbit has initiated a formal investigation into the source of the second stage failure that led to the loss of 9 satellites. All required corrective actions identified during the investigation of the anomaly will be completed prior to the next flight.

Next flight

That next flight by Virgin Orbit is planned to occur from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

“Virgin Orbit also anticipates returning to Spaceport Cornwall for additional launches, and is in active discussions with key government and commercial stakeholders in the UK to start planning mission opportunities for as soon as later this year,” the statement explains.

Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 by business tycoon, Sir Richard Branson.