Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc is planning two rocket launches mid-2022 from the UK and a broader international expansion, according to a report by Bloomberg on Tuesday.
- In a briefing call, Dan Hart Chief Executive Officer announced that the company is targeting six launches this year, including one this week from the U.S.
- Hart further expects to reach an output of 20 rockets from Virgin’s factory in California in 2023.
- The international push could include a launch from Japan by next year, and Virgin considered Brazil as an alternative.
- The company, which listed last month after merging with a blank-check firm, is readying to launch U.S. Space Force missions from Guam as early as next year.
- The company is set to launch satellites Wednesday for three clients, including Spire Global Inc. and the U.S. Defense Department.
Shares of Virgin Orbit soared 28% as of 3:11 p.m. in New York trading, ignoring the vitality of the stock since the merger. VORB up +31.30%.