Virgin Orbit launches 9 satellites into space from UK
LONDON — (AP) — A modified jumbo jet carried a Virgin Orbit rocket from the U.K. and released it into space from the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, marking the first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from Western Europe. The mission, which saw the rocket taking nine small satellites for mixed civil and defense use into orbit, was the first international launch for Virgin Orbit, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson. “This is the start of a new era for the U.K. in terms of launch capabilities," said Ian Annett, deputy chief executive at the U.K. Space Agency. In the past, satellites produced in the U.K. had to be sent to spaceports in other countries to make their journey into space. The mission is a collaboration between the U.K. Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, Virgin Orbit and Cornwall Council.
wftv.comPlane carrying rocket takes off for 1st UK satellite launch
LONDON — (AP) — A modified jumbo jet carrying a Virgin Orbit rocket took off from southwestern England Monday, marking the first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from Western Europe. The rocket will then take nine small satellites for mixed civil and defense use into orbit, while the plane, piloted by a Royal Air Force pilot, returns to Cornwall. If successful, the mission will mark the first international launch for Virgin Orbit, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson. “This is the start of a new era for the U.K. in terms of launch capabilities," said Ian Annett, deputy chief executive at the U.K. Space Agency. The mission is a collaboration between the U.K. Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, Virgin Orbit and Cornwall Council.
wftv.comPlane prepares to take off for first UK satellite launch
LONDON — (AP) — Engineers are making final preparations for the first satellite launch from the U.K. later Monday, when a repurposed passenger plane is expected to release a Virgin Orbit rocket carrying several small satellites into space. If successful, the mission will mark the first orbital space launch from U.K. soil and the first international launch for Virgin Orbit, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson. The rocket will then take several small satellites for mixed civil and defense use into orbit, while the plane returns to Cornwall. It will be the first commercial satellite launch from Western Europe, Virgin Orbit said. In the past, satellites produced in the U.K. had to be sent to spaceports in other countries to make their journey into space.
wftv.comVirgin Orbit rocket launches 7 US defense satellites
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — A Virgin Orbit rocket carrying U.S. Defense Department satellites was launched from a special Boeing 747 flying off the Southern California coast and streaked toward space Friday night. It was Virgin Orbit's fourth commercial launch and first night launch. Virgin Orbit named the mission “Straight Up” after the hit on Paula Abdul's debut studio album “Forever Your Girl,” which was released through Virgin Records in 1988. Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 by British billionaire Richard Branson. Later this year, the company will launch two satellites on a mission flying out of Newquay Airport in Cornwall, England.
wftv.comVirgin Orbit successfully launches 7 satellites into orbit
The company later confirmed that all of the satellites were successfully deployed into the proper orbit. “Another fantastic day for the Virgin Orbit team, and a big step forward for our customers,” the company tweeted. It was Virgin Orbit's third launch carrying satellites for customers. Two previous launches carried multiple satellites into orbit in January and June 2021. Virgin Orbit, founded in 2017 by British billionaire Richard Branson, went public last month.
wftv.comBillionaire Richard Branson has COVID-19
Billionaire Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, has been diagnosed with COVID-19. >> Read more trending newsIn a post on Twitter, Branson described his sickness as “mild,” adding he was fully vaccinated and encouraged others to get vaccinated and boosted as well. He said, “Can’t stress enough – if you’re eligible and in a country that offers boosters, get your booster now.” While Branson said he caught the omicron variant, he credited his vaccine for keeping his symptoms mild. Thankfully, I’m fully vaccinated & boosted (urge everyone – where available – to do the same) and feeling fine. — Richard Branson (@richardbranson) January 6, 2022The COVID-19 infection prevented Branson from being with the rest of the Virgin Orbit team to ring the bell at Nasdaq Friday, Bloomberg reported.
wftv.comCapt. Kirk's William Shatner on cusp of blasting into space
Private Spaceflight This undated photo made available by Blue Origin in October 2021 shows, from left, Chris Boshuizen, William Shatner, Audrey Powers and Glen de Vries. (Blue Origin via AP) (Uncredited)VAN HORN, Texas — (AP) — Actor William Shatner counted down Wednesday to his wildest role yet: riding a rocket into space, courtesy of “Star Trek” fan Jeff Bezos. Bezos’ space travel company, Blue Origin, invited Shatner on the brief jaunt to the fringes of the final frontier, which will make him the oldest person in space. Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson kicked off the U.S.-based space tourism boom on July 11, riding his own rocketship to space. How extraordinary it is to be part of that beginning,” Shatner said in a Blue Origin video posted on the eve of his flight.
wftv.comVirgin Galactic says FAA has cleared it for further flights
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Virgin Galactic said Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared it to resume launches after an investigation into why its spaceship veered off course while descending during a July flight with founder Richard Branson aboard. The company said it was advised by the FAA that corrective actions proposed by Virgin Galactic have been accepted. Virgin Galactic said it will incorporate additional steps in its flight procedures to ensure real-time mission notifications to FAA air traffic control. During the July 11 incident, the rocketship carrying Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees deviated outside the air traffic control clearance area during descent to a runway in New Mexico. Virgin Galactic has said high-altitude wind caused the change in flight path and insisted the two pilots responded appropriately.
wftv.comVirgin Galactic says FAA has cleared it for further flights
Virgin Galactic says the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared it to resume launches after an investigation into why its spaceship veered off course while descending during a July flight over New Mexico with founder Richard Branson aboard.
Billionaires rocketing into space draw UN chief's red glare
United Nations General Assembly United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, at United Nations headquarters in New York. ( Eduardo Munoz/Pool Photo via AP)/Pool Photo via AP) (EDUARDO MUNOZ)Space, we have an equity problem. When three billionaires rocketed into space this summer, they did more than escape Earth’s surly bonds, they helped spread “a malady of mistrust” plaguing an all-too hungry world, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told other world leaders Tuesday. Both bank on space tourism business from their fellow space fans with big wallets. His flight was on a Dragon capsule and Space X rocket built by a fourth space-obsessed billionaire, Elon Musk.
wftv.comSpaceX launches 4 amateurs on private Earth-circling trip
.SpaceX’s first private flight has streaked into orbit with two contest winners, a health care worker and their rich sponsor. It was the first time a spacecraft circled Earth with an all-amateur crew and no professional astronauts. SpaceX’s recycled rocket soared Wednesday night from the same Kennedy Space Center pad used by the company’s three previous astronaut flights for NASA. But this time, the Dragon capsule aimed for an unusually high orbit, 100 miles higher than the International...
U.S. COVID-19 infections soaring as millions travel for Labor Day weekend
The U.S. is in a familiar spot as it takes the global lead for most daily coronavirus cases, recording more than a million cases this week. And with millions traveling for the Labor Day weekend, the numbers are expected to increase. Lilia Luciano has more.
news.yahoo.comFAA bans Virgin Galactic launches while probing Branson trip
The ban came as Virgin Galactic announced plans to launch three Italian researchers to the edge of space in a few weeks. The FAA said the rocketship carrying Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees veered off course during its descent back to New Mexico on July 11. Virgin Galactic insisted Thursday that Branson and everyone else on board were never in any added danger. Virgin Galactic acknowledged the space plane dropped below the protected airspace for one minute and 41 seconds. Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are vying to sell seats to tourists, scientists and anyone else looking to experience a few minutes of weightlessness.
wftv.comNext Virgin Galactic launch set as FAA probes Branson flight
Virgin Galactic FILE - In this Sunday, July 11, 2021 file photo, the craft carrying Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson and other crew members takes off from Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, N.M. Virgin Galactic plans to launch three Italian researchers to the edge of space in a few weeks, even as its previous flight with founder Richard Branson is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) (Andres Leighton)CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — (AP) — Virgin Galactic plans to launch three Italian researchers to the edge of space in a few weeks, even as its previous flight with founder Richard Branson is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said Thursday that the rocketship carrying Branson and five Virgin Galactic employees veered off course during its descent back to New Mexico on July 11. Virgin Galactic acknowledged the space plane dropped below the protected airspace for one minute and 41 seconds. Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are vying to sell seats to tourists, scientists and anyone else looking to experience a few minutes of weightlessness.
wftv.comPilots saw 'red light' warning during Virgin Galactic's historic spaceflight with Richard Branson: report
When Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson became the first billionaire to fly to space with his own company on July 11, he may have also come close to becoming the first billionaire to crash during a spaceflight.
space.comIs it legal for residents to post fake speed limit signs that are lower than the actual speed limit?
News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions and shares tips about the rules of the road, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.