2. LAUNCHERONE: REVOLUTIONARY ORBITAL
TRANSPORT FOR SMALL SATELLITES
William Pomerantz, A.C. Charania, Steve Isakowitz, Brian Morse, Kevin Sagis
13 August 2013
2Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data
3. VG Overview
• World’s first spaceline
• Privately funded US company, using US technology, and employing US
persons at US R&D and Manufacturing facilities
• Building and operating three vehicles:
– SpaceShipTwo (SS2): air-launched sub-orbital spacecraft for 8 passengers (2 crew, 6
customers). Designed by Scaled Composites / NG; Built by Virgin Galactic.
– LauncherOne (L1): air-launched orbital launch vehicle for small satellites (~500 lbs).
Designed and Built by Virgin Galactic.
– WhiteKnightTwo (WK2): Air-launch platform for carrying SS2 and L1 to 50,000 feet for
safe release. Designed by Scaled Composites / NG; Built by Virgin Galactic.
3Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data
8. LauncherOne (L1) System
• Small satellite launch vehicle designed by Virgin Galactic
– Utilizes the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft air launch platform (drop at 50kft)
– Carry ~200kg satellites into LEO for <$10M/launch
– Initial capability in CY2015, full commercial operations in CY2016
• Leverages Virgin Galactic commercial capability to distribute costs
• Delivers significant responsive launch capability
8Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data
9. LauncherOne Overview
FIRST STAGE SECOND STAGE PAYLOAD
VG Proprietary
Approaches
• Designed to prioritize simplicity and functionality
• Two stage design minimizes complexity
• Mature liquid propulsion engines designed for low cost construction with extensive
development and test
• Simple, low-cost composites structure
• Simple and integral fail-safe Automated Flight Safety System
9Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data
11. • Designed for easy integration of ESPA-class
payloads
• Configurable for dedicated primary or multiple
primary payloads
• Composite payload fairing with access doors
and RF window installation
• Scalable for various levels of service (e.g .
power, telemetry, etc.)
• Scalable for various CubeSat dispenser systems
(e.g. 3U, 6U, etc.)
• Draft Payload User’s Guide to be released in
2013
Preliminary Payload Accommodation
11Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data
12. LauncherOne Value Proposition
• LOW COST
– Simple design with ample margin
– Technical demos early to lower risks before full-scale development
– Maximize use of existing assets to spread fixed costs
– Higher flight rate with combined USG/Comm’l market
• DEDICATED
– Fast, responsive integration with launch vehicle (rapid alternate to second payload launch)
– Reduce contract time to orbit
• EVOLVABLE
– Scalable capability for various payload classes
– Designed for nanosatellite launch for Cubesats
• COMMERCIAL SYNERGY
– Shares costs with existing and funded commercial development
– Syncs with National Space Policy on fostering commercial launch
– Supports future commercial applications
12Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data
