Branson's Virgin Orbit tries to reach space with mid-air rocket launch LauncherOne's first attempt to reach space early last year was terminated seconds after being dropped from its carrier aircraft. The rocket ignited its NewtonThree engine for a few seconds but cut off mid-air due to a broken propellant line, Virgin Orbit's Chief Executive Dan Hart said in July.Reuters | Updated: 17-01-2021 18:32 IST | Created: 17-01-2021 18:32 IST Billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit aims to reach space for the first time on Sunday by launching a rocket from mid-air, a key attempt after aborting the rocket's first test launch last year.