Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit was a launch services company founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Virgin Galactic, developing the air-launched LauncherOne rocket system.
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Long Beach, United States
- Ownership
- Subsidiary of Virgin Group
Quick Facts
About Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit was a launch services company founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Virgin Galactic, developing the air-launched LauncherOne rocket system. The company pioneered launching small satellites from a modified Boeing 747 carrier aircraft called Cosmic Girl, completing six total flights from 2020 to 2023 with four successes. Notable achievements included becoming the first commercial company to reach orbit from UK soil in January 2023, though that mission failed due to engine overheating.
After going public via SPAC merger in December 2021 at a $3.7 billion valuation, financial difficulties led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in April 2023. The company ceased operations in June 2023 after selling assets to Rocket Lab, Stratolaunch, and Launcher for approximately $36 million total.
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- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-05
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Frequently asked about Virgin Orbit
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Virgin Orbit founded?
- Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 in United States.
- Where is Virgin Orbit headquartered?
- Virgin Orbit is headquartered in Long Beach, United States.
- What does Virgin Orbit do?
- Virgin Orbit was a launch services company founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Virgin Galactic, developing the air-launched LauncherOne rocket system. The company pioneered launching small satellites from a modified Boeing 747 carrier aircraft called Cosmic Girl, completing six total flights from 2020 to 2023 with four …
- Is Virgin Orbit still operating?
- Virgin Orbit is no longer operating. Status: defunct.
- What sector does Virgin Orbit operate in?
- Virgin Orbit works in launch services.
Sources
The structured fields on this page (founding year, location, sector, status, listing) and the profile text are drawn from the sources below. How profiles are drafted and checked is described in our methodology.
- Official website (virginorbit.com)
- Company LinkedIn page
- Wikidata / Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-09-05
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Virgin Orbit is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.