Virgin Orbit has signed a deal to develop small satellites for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of the UK defence organisation’s Artemis project. Virgin Orbit, the small satellite launch company backed by billionaire Richard Branson, has signed an initial agreement to develop small satellite launch capabilities for the U.K.’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The company will be developing two satellites, called “Pegasus” and “Apollo”, which are expected to launch in 2018. Virgin’s in-flight launch system cannot be used for larger satellites but it said it wanted to give the UK spacecraft launching facilities.
Virgin Orbit has signed a deal to develop small satellites for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of the UK defence organisation’s Artemis project. The company will be developing two satellites, called “Pegasus” and “Apollo”, which are expected to launch in 2018. Virgin’s in-flight launch system cannot be used for larger satellites but it said it wanted to give the UK spacecraft launching facilities.