LauncherOne Collaborative Opportunity to Advance Emerging Space Capabilities

Virgin Orbit collaborated with ARC to mature critical areas of development for the air-launched LauncherOne vehicle. Virgin Orbit leveraged the center’s specific expertise in aerothermodynamics, aircraft simulation, and enabling technologies for small satellite launch vehicles. ARC successfully completed all three tasks that were part of the Space Act Agreement, including aerothermodynamics analysis of integrated carrier aircraft and launch vehicle, carrier aircraft simulation, and conceptual design of a payload adaptor for small satellites.

NASA and Virgin Galactic will gain a better understanding of air launch systems, enable future recommendations for the design and optimization of air launch system and improve the development of such vehicles. These solicitations increase focus on collaborations with the commercial space sector that not only leverage emerging markets and capabilities to meet NASA's strategic goals, but also focus on industry needs. NASA's investments in industry partnerships can accelerate the availability of, and reduce costs for the development and infusion of, these emerging space system capabilities. While developing the technology to enable NASA's next generation of science and human exploration missions, we will grow the economy and strengthen the nation's economic competitiveness.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.