in ,

Mike Rokaw: Virgin Orbit to Compete for ‘Tactically Responsive Launch’ Contracts

Mike Rokaw: Virgin Orbit to Compete for 'Tactically Responsive Launch' Contracts - top government contractors - best government contracting event

Mike Rokaw, vice president of operations at Virgin Orbit’s VOX Space subsidiary, said the parent company expects to submit bids for the U.S. Space Force’s future ‘tactically responsive launch’ contracts, which require launch providers to send satellites to orbit on short notice, SpaceNews reported Thursday.

“We think we bring to the table a good economic option for the government,” Rokaw said. “I think next time TacRL comes out, we’re competing.”

A request for proposals for TacRL-3 and TacRL-4 contracts is expected to be released in the next few months. Those contracts would give providers 18 days’ notice to prepare for the flight, which Rokaw said is within the company’s area of expertise.

Virgin Orbit offers LauncherOne, an air-launched rocket, and runs a factory in Long Beach, California, that can manufacture 20 rockets per year.

Rokaw said the company has one 747 carrier plane used to launch rockets but intends to add more aircraft once it sees a rise in business activity.

“When we get to 18 to 20 launches a year, we will have multiple planes to handle that bandwidth,” he added.

ExecutiveBiz Logo

Sign Up Now! ExecutiveBiz provides you with Daily Updates and News Briefings about Space News

mm

Written by Jane Edwards

is a staff writer at Executive Mosaic, where she writes for ExecutiveBiz about IT modernization, cybersecurity, space procurement and industry leaders’ perspectives on government technology trends.

Air Force Taps CTC to Develop Electric Generator for Modern, Legacy Aircraft; Ed Sheehan Quoted - top government contractors - best government contracting event
Air Force Taps CTC to Develop Electric Generator for Modern, Legacy Aircraft; Ed Sheehan Quoted
Southwest Research Institute Books $79M Air Force Research & Engineering Contract - top government contractors - best government contracting event
Southwest Research Institute Books $79M Air Force Research & Engineering Contract