Virgin Orbit and Virgin Galactic are both companies founded by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, and both companies are focused on space travel and exploration. However, the two companies have different goals and operate in different areas of the space industry.
Virgin Orbit is focused on providing launch services for small satellites. The company has developed a unique launch system that utilizes a modified 747 airplane, called Cosmic Girl, to carry a rocket, called LauncherOne, to high altitude. The rocket is then released from the airplane and ignites its engines to propel itself and its payload into orbit. This launch method, known as air launch, allows for greater flexibility and cost savings compared to traditional ground-based launches.
Virgin Orbit has successfully completed multiple launches, including its first commercial launch in January 2021, which placed a batch of small satellites into orbit for customers including NASA, the U.S. military and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force.
Jobs at Virgin Orbit
On the other hand, Virgin Galactic is focused on developing and operating commercial space flights for tourists and researchers. The company's SpaceShipTwo, a reusable suborbital spacecraft, is designed to carry passengers and scientific payloads to the edge of space, where they can experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.
Virgin Galactic has completed several successful test flights of SpaceShipTwo, and the company plans to begin commercial operations in the near future. The company has already sold thousands of tickets for future spaceflights at a price point of around $250,000 per seat.
Jobs at Virgin Galactic
In summary, Virgin Orbit provides launch services for small satellites, while Virgin Galactic is focused on commercial spaceflights for tourists and researchers. Both companies are working on advancing the space industry and technology, but in different ways.