UK launch, air cargo normalcy, new Russian jet - Dec 22 Aero News
Virgin Orbit licensed for first LauncherOne mission from UK
British authorities have approved a launch license to Virgin Orbit for its maiden LauncherOne mission, expected to take place in January. The launch will carry seven satellites for commercial and government clients, which include Oman, the US Naval Research Lab, and the UK's Ministry of Defence.
The launch will mark the first ever satellite launch from the UK, and has involved creation of much new regulation for the country.
The mission will be based at Spaceport Cornwall. Unlike a ground-based launch, though, the LauncherOne mission will utilize a repurposed Boeing ($BA) 747 to release the rocket from underneath its wing after takeoff.
Terran Orbital delivers 10 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin for US Military constellation
Terran Orbital ($LLAP) announced this morning that it has delivered 10 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin ($LMT) for use in the Space Development Agency's mesh network in low Earth orbit. The satellites are projected to launch in June.
Lockheed Martin won the $187.5 million contract to produce the satellites in August 2020. The satellite network will provide secure, high-bandwidth, low-latency data links for military users.
Lockheed made a $100 million investment in Florida-based Terran Orbital in October, to be used to expand the company's satellite manufacturing facilities in Irvine, California.
Lufthansa Cargo expects return to normalcy in 2023
Lufthansa Cargo released its 2023 trends forecast Wednesday, announcing its expectation for a return to normalcy in 2023, following three tumultuous pandemic years. Air freight capacity has increased as airlines have resumed normal operations, a trend which the freight carrier expects will continue into the new year.
LATAM sets ambitious CO2 goal
LATAM Airlines announced that, as part of a new carbon agreement, the airline intends to reduce and offset 50% of domestic emissions by 2030. It plans to accomplish this largely through its alliance with the Cataruben Foundation, which expects to capture 11.3 million tons of CO2 by 2040 in a 575,000 hectare property.
New Russian airliner expected by end of 2023
The SibNIIA Institute, an aviation science research center in eastern Russia, is working on static airframe certification tests for the Irkut Superjet 100, a variant of its narrowbody family. Due to Western sanctions in place against Russia, the aircraft would be produced with local equipment and technology, and would serve to help replace Western Airbus and Boeing ($BA) airframes in Russia.