Virgin Orbit

Initial findings by Virgin Orbit suggest anomaly occurred during second-stage engine burn.

Virgin Orbit said its data suggested that an anomaly occurred during the Newton 4 second-stage engine burn as the rocket travelled at 11,000 mph.

About 1 hr. 6 min. after takeoff, Virgin Orbit confirmed that an anomaly had prevented the LauncherOne rocket from reaching orbit.

The LauncherOne rocket has been loaded, and technicians are preparing to fuel it in readiness for the first orbital launch from the UK, planned for Jan. 9.

The company has also selected several backup dates for the mission running into mid- and late-January.

ANA Holdings has an agreement that sets the stage for the purchase of 20 Virgin One LauncherOne rocket flights that would take off from Japan.

Virgin Orbit will make a second attempt to reach orbit with the air-dropped LauncherOne small satellite rocket on Dec. 19, with backup launch windows available later in the month in the event of a delay.

Space launch provider Virgin Orbit says it has delivered a flight-worthy LauncherOne rocket to its Mojave, California facility and is poised to