---
title: "Virgin Orbit’s Orbital Launch Vehicle 2022"
id: 12316
type: "post"
slug: "virgin-orbits-orbital-launch-vehicle-2022"
author: "NSE"
published: "2022-06-24T10:30:00+00:00"
modified: "2023-11-11T06:15:27+00:00"
canonical: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2022/06/24/virgin-orbits-orbital-launch-vehicle-2022/"
markdown_url: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2022/06/24/virgin-orbits-orbital-launch-vehicle-2022.md"
description: "LauncherOne is an air launched orbital launch vehicle that started operational service in 2021."
language: "en-US"
category:
  - "Launch Market"
  - "Space Economy"
  - "Space SPACs"
  - "Spacecraft Systems: Launch Segment"
post_tag:
  - "Launch Vehicles"
  - "Rideshare"
  - "Satellites"
  - "Space Companies"
---

# Virgin Orbit’s Orbital Launch Vehicle 2022

LauncherOne is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed and flown by Virgin Orbit. The rocket is air launched from a carrier aircraft at 35,000 feet. It began operational flights in 2021.

LauncherOne is designed to carry smallsat payloads of up to 500 kg into LEO and 300 kg into SSO. It supports rideshare payloads. Cost for dedicated launch is $12 million.

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/img_6520.jpg?resize=696%2C964&ssl=1)

*Source: Virgin Orbit*

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/img_6521.jpg?resize=696%2C403&ssl=1)

*Source: Virgin Orbit*

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/img_6522.jpg?resize=696%2C907&ssl=1)

*Source: Virgin Orbit*

[LauncherOne Service Guide 📑](https://newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/launcherone-service-guide-august-2020.pdf)