Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit to Lift-Off From Small Regional Australian Airport
Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit could soon be launching satellites from a small regional airport in Queensland after signing off a deal to develop its third location globally.
Founded in 2017, the company deploys Boeing 747s to carry rockets into the upper reaches of the atmosphere before firing them into space.
The New York-listed Virgin Orbit has signed a memorandum of understanding with the local Wagner Corporation, who built the airport and neighbouring business park, and will push towards developing a “national spaceport to perform an orbital launch demonstration” as early as 2024.
The project aims to capitalise on a maturing small satellite market, stimulate the local economy, and support the defence industry with a “flight-proven national launch capability.”…