VOX Space, the subsidiary company of Virgin Orbit, has signed a new agreement annex with the US Air Force to conduct LauncherOne missions to space from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
This development sets the stage for one of LauncherOne’s first ever missions and the very first to launch out of Andersen Air Force Base. The mission has been labelled STP-27VP and its manifest includes several small satellites performing experiments and technology demonstrations for the US Department of Defense.
The
Commercial Space Operations Support Agreement annex was signed in early
April by VOX Space President Mandy Vaughn and US Air Force 36th Wing
Commander Brig. Gen. Gentry Boswell. Commenting on the newly signed
agreement, VOX Space President, Mandy Vaughn said: “We’re very grateful
to Brig. Gen. Deanna Burt and her team at HQ USSF/S3, as well as Wing
Commander Brig. Gen. Boswell, Vice Commander Col. Matthew Nicholson, and
all of the excellent airmen and women of the 36th Wing and Pacific Air
Forces for their support.
“Lt. Gen. John Thompson and his team at the Space and Missile Systems
Center have also provided visionary leadership throughout this process.
We’re very excited to demonstrate the flexibility and mobility that
only LauncherOne can offer.”
Image from Virgin Orbit
Virgin
Orbit and VOX Space first expressed interest in launching from the
Pacific island of Guam in mid-2019 as it is a remote, low-latitude site
with clear launch trajectories in almost all directions and has close
proximity to the equator.
Because the system is not tied to a traditional ground-based launch
site, LauncherOne will leverage key locations around the world including
Guam to provide responsive and affordable flights to space for a broad
variety of customers. Even now, VOX Space and Virgin Orbit are working
closely with multiple allied governments and international organisations
interested in establishing launch capabilities closer to home.
After successfully demonstrating an end-to-end, capstone launch
rehearsal of LauncherOne and marking the completion of an extensive
flight test program, the Virgin Orbit team is in the midst of final
preparations for an orbital launch demonstration.
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