Browsing: Virgin Orbit

British billionaire Richard Branson’s space empire is getting a bruising reality check.

Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy after the satellite launch firm tied to billionaire Richard Branson failed to secure the funding needed to keep operating.

Britain’s attempt to become the first European nation to launch satellites into space ended in bitter disappointment early on Tuesday.

Virgin Galactic’s sister company, Virgin Orbit, has conducted a drop test of its air-launched satellite booster over California in a key step towards space missions.