Virgin Galactic's sister company Virgin Orbit conducted a drop test of its air-launched satellite booster over California on Wednesday, a key step toward space missions. The 70-foot (21.3-meter) LauncherOne rocket was released from a Boeing 747 flying 35,000 feet (10,668 meters) over an Edwards Air Force Base test range in the Mojave Desert. Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart said it was "a monumental step forward" for the project. Virgin Orbit recently announced an agreement with ANA Holdings, parent of All Nippon Airways, to bring its service to Japan. Virgin Orbit plans its initial launch missions to fly out of Mojave Air and Space Port in the California desert.

Source: ABC News July 10, 2019 18:53 UTC