PPRuNe Forums - RAF man set to unleash Virgin Orbit space rocket over Pacific

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RAF Unleashes Virgin

Did not know whether I should put this here or in space thread
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59972909

Rather disappointingly unoriginal nickname.

I suppose Branson has got to do something with all those spare '747s and he's got the money to do it..

RAF man set to unleash Virgin Orbit space rocket over Pacific

On the Beeb News site.

article intro:-

Quote:

RAF pilot Matthew Stannard will be in the cockpit of a jumbo jet on Thursday when it launches a rocket to space from out over the Pacific Ocean.

The aviator is currently seconded to Sir Richard Branson's satellite launch company, Virgin Orbit, which will be attempting to loft seven spacecraft.

"Stanny", as he's known, is more accustomed to firing missiles from Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets.

Unleashing a 21m (70ft) space booster will be a new experience.

"Stanny has been a wonderful addition to our team. As you'd expect given his background with the RAF, he brings a bright intellect, incredible attention to detail, and an excellent experience base, in addition to his world-class piloting skills," said Virgin Orbit chief operating officer Tony Gingiss.

"Stanny's been deeply involved in all of our planning, and after flying on our previous mission and logging many hours in the simulator, he will be in the right seat for our upcoming 'Above the Clouds' flight, releasing our LauncherOne rocket at the right time, sending our customers' satellites on their way to orbit," the executive told BBC News.

The UK Ministry of Defence anticipates using Virgin Orbit to launch military satellites in the future, and is building a pool of experience in advance of this happening.

Click the link for photos, diagrams & links.

Quote:

Originally Posted by campbeex (Post 11169413)

Already a thread here: https://www.pprune.org/space-flight-...es-virgin.html

Whoops - it is in an area of PPRuNe as yet unexplored by me...

Quote:

he will be in the right seat for our upcoming 'Above the Clouds' flight, releasing our LauncherOne rocket at the right time, sending our customers' satellites on their way to orbit," the executive told BBC News.

So flying as the co/ FO, in charge of pressing the button to release the payload, but not utilizing his ‘world-class piloting skills’ to fly the 747 S&L at FL350?! He must be glad of all that time on Typhoons to help him with this job!!

Not the first time that an RAF pilot sends a virgin into space…… :E

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Scott (Post 11169450)

Not a lot of time on Typhoon….

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyneham Lad (Post 11169418)

Whoops - it is in an area of PPRuNe as yet unexplored by me...

I started it here, the mods moved it - not that I am complaining, far from it. I think our mods are the finest kind, wonderful human beings, salt of the earth, great chaps and chapesses to a person.
The link to the moved thread is still here, they think of everything. :ok:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyneham Lad (Post 11169418)

Whoops - it is in an area of PPRuNe as yet unexplored by me...

Space - the final frontier...