Virgin Orbit's First Launch of 2021 Is Imminent
![Virgin Orbit's First Launch of 2021 Is Imminent](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/0262272E-0056-4652-A48A2FF7FE4AD30B_source.jpg)
“Cosmic Girl,” Virgin Orbit’s spacecraft-carrying 747 airplane, shortly after takeoff during a test run in June 2019. The company’s “LauncherOne” rocket can be seen mounted beneath Cosmic Girl’s left wing.