<strong>Test flight: </strong>Virgin Orbit's plane Cosmic Girl flew for 80 minutes over California on a test flight with a rocket called Launcher One strapped under its arm.
Test flight: Virgin Orbit's plane Cosmic Girl flew for 80 minutes over California on a test flight with a rocket called Launcher One strapped under its arm.
Courtesy Virgin Orbit
<strong>Space milestone: </strong>The test, a first-ever for the Boeing 747, takes Virgin Orbit closer to its goal of sending satellites into space.
Space milestone: The test, a first-ever for the Boeing 747, takes Virgin Orbit closer to its goal of sending satellites into space.
Courtesy Virgin Orbit
<strong>Step forward: </strong>Billionaire Richard Branson described the test flight as a "big step forward" for the company.
Step forward: Billionaire Richard Branson described the test flight as a "big step forward" for the company.
Courtesy Virgin Orbit
<strong>Race for space:</strong> Branson also hopes to carry fare-paying passengers to the edge of space via his Virgin Galactic service.
Race for space: Branson also hopes to carry fare-paying passengers to the edge of space via his Virgin Galactic service.
Courtesy Virgin Orbit
<strong>Edge of space: </strong>Virgin Galactic completed a rocket-powered test flight at 2.47 times the speed of sound in July.
Edge of space: Virgin Galactic completed a rocket-powered test flight at 2.47 times the speed of sound in July.
Virgin Galactic