On June 30, 2021, the modified 737 “Cosmic Girl” takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California, carrying a LauncherOne rocket. On Wednesday, Sir Richard Branson’s private space enterprise Virgin Orbit successfully launched its second satellite mission of the year, with CEO Dan Hart telling CNBC that the company is now focused on “ramping up” and expanding operations globally. “We’re on track to add another aircraft this year, then quadruple that cadence to six flights next year, and then continue to grow from there,” Hart said. Unlike other companies, Virgin Orbit launches its rockets from a converted Boeing 747 airplane rather than from the ground. The company’s first commercial launch, which took off from the California desert and traveled to orbit above the Pacific Ocean, took place on Wednesday. The company’s previous two launches were demonstration missions. The corporation is now based in California’s Mojave Air and Space Port, with agreements in place to launch from Guam and Cornwall in the United Kingdom. According to Hart, Virgin Orbit is also working on partnerships with “other countries,” including as Japan, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi. “Any airport can be converted into a spaceport,” Hart stated. Compared to its ground-based rocket-building competitors, Virgin Orbit’s strategy to launching rockets is “totally and absolutely unique,” according to Branson. The company wants to be able to respond to a customer’s launch request within 24 hours, which Branson says is a necessity he’s discussed with military leaders in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. “We will simply construct the capacity and do just that if countries wish to store rockets for future emergencies in the globe,” Branson added. CNBC Pro can help you become a better investor. Get stock recommendations, analyst calls, exclusive interviews, and CNBC TV access. To begin your free trial, simply fill out the form below./nRead More