Virgin Orbit has become the “preferred” launch provider of Horizon Technologies (“Horizon”), the UK-based provider of satellite based Maritime Domain Awareness (“MDA”) through its planned AMBER signals intelligence cubesat constellation offering services to the UK’s Ministry of Defence. According to the agreement, Virgin Orbit will take an equity stake in the company, and will appoint a Virgin Orbit representative to Horizon’s board of directors. Horizon currently plans to take advantage of LauncherOne’s unique ability to reach tailored orbits for at least five launches.
Artist’s impression of Virgin Orbit’s Boeing 747-400/LauncherOne combination operating from Newquay spaceport. Courtesy: UK Space Agency
