Virgin Orbit Completes Key Failure Investigation Test, Confirms Cornwall Failure Root Cause
A key element to the investigation focusing on the filter in the fuel tank outlet, the test campaign recreated flight conditions and demonstrated the dislodging and subsequent travel of the filter into the Newton-4 engine. This high-fidelity test article included all the key elements of the fuel feed system up to the engine inlet.
Ground test results matched flight data, confirming the dislodging of the filter as the initiation event of the January launch failure. A series of nine tests verified the performance of a redesigned filter.
The failure investigation centred on a standard fault tree methodology which guided the investigation and key analyses and tests. All potentially credible scenarios were investigated. The modified design, that has now been verified through test, has been incorporated into the Company’s next rocket which is planned for a flight from Mojave Air and Space Port later this year.
Virgin Orbit has recently filed plans under Chapter 11 bankruptcy arrangement subject to the court's approval. The company is pursuing a competitive sale process in order to maximize value for all stakeholders. Virgin Orbit has proposed a May 4th deadline for indications of interest (“IOI”) and has asked the Court to approve bid procedures including the IOI deadline and a bid deadline of May 14, 2023. Any sale transaction will be implemented according to the Plan or according to a separate sale order under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. Pursuant to the proposed Plan, the sale proceeds will be distributed in accordance with the Plan and any applicable sale order.
Dan Hart, chief executive of Virgin Orbit, said, “We continue to make important progress and remain focused on positioning the Company to complete our sale process to the benefit of all stakeholders. We expect the filing of the Plan and Disclosure Statement will help us to efficiently conclude the Chapter 11 process once we have completed the sale of the Company. We remain committed to working with our investors and creditors throughout this process to achieve an optimal outcome for everyone.”
