LauncherOne

Virgin Galactic has upgraded its LauncherOne satellite launch service by making it capable of carrying double the amount of payload.

Announced at the annual World Business Satellite Week in Paris, the enhanced version of the vehicle will allow the company to serve the increasing demand from the small satellite market.

The upgraded LauncherOne rocket has an expanded tank size, and is designed to launch 200kg into the standard sun-synchronous orbit for a price of less than $10m.

The air-launched system will be able to launch more than 400kg of payload into lower low-Earth orbits (LEO).

LauncherOne can operate from various launch sites, and can optimise each mission to customer requirements.

Customers will also have the option to choose further increases in performance to the same orbit, and launch other altitudes or inclinations, Virgin Galactic said.

"Small satellites are big business, and we look forward to supporting satellite innovators to make history in space."

Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides said: "LauncherOne will be ready to meet the rapidly expanding needs of satellite start-ups, space agencies, and research institutions thanks to the investments we’ve already made in our engines, tanks, avionics, and our production infrastructure.

"Demand has become so significant that LauncherOne will have its own dedicated aircraft.

"Small satellites are big business, and we look forward to supporting satellite innovators to make history in space and to improve lives here on Earth."

The company is in talks to purchase a commercial aircraft for its air launch fleet, which includes WhiteKnightTwo.

LauncherOne was unveiled at the 2012 Farnborough International Air Show in the UK.

A team of 150 aerospace professionals work on the LauncherOne programme at the company’s 14,000m² manufacturing and design facility in Long Beach, California, US.

In June, Virgin Galactic secured a contract with British Channel Islands-based OneWeb to provide 39 LauncherOne flights for the latter’s internet service satellites.

Image: The upgraded LauncherOne rocket has an expanded tank size. Photo: courtesy of Virgin Galactic.