WACO—Virgin Galactic has big plans for its 747 mothership, which is slated to serve as a platform for a small satellite launcher.
The aircraft arrived in Waco, Texas this week for modifications but will eventually head to the Mojave Air and Space Port for flight testing. This aircraft, nicknamed "Cosmic Girl", will be fitted to carry the 55,000 pound LauncherOne rocket, which undergoing development in Mojave and Long Beach.
The 747 was chosen by the company for its reliability and established track record of special mission use. The changes on the massive plane will also include elements from NASA's flying telescope, SOFIA, which is based in Palmdale.
Virgin Galactic is also in talks to base its LauncherOne satellite operations in Mojave.