A unique mission to launch some satellites into orbit off the California Coast is being called a success. Instead of taking off from a traditional launch pad, the rocket was launched from a jumbo jet.
Virgin Orbit’s converted 747 airliner carrying the “Launcher One” rocket took off from the Mojave Desert Thursday afternoon. The rocket was under one of the plane’s wings. It was released at about 35,000 feet, taking seven small satellites into orbit.
It’s the third successful flight for the Virgin Orbit program, which has now put more than two dozen satellites into orbit.
