This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65172594
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Virgin Orbit: Richard Branson's rocket firm files for bankruptcy | Virgin Orbit: Richard Branson's rocket firm files for bankruptcy |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| British billionaire Sir Richard Branson's rocket company Virgin Orbit has filed for bankruptcy in the US after failing to secure new investment. | British billionaire Sir Richard Branson's rocket company Virgin Orbit has filed for bankruptcy in the US after failing to secure new investment. |
| The satellite launch company halted operations weeks ago but it hopes to find a buyer for the business. | The satellite launch company halted operations weeks ago but it hopes to find a buyer for the business. |
| The company, based in California, announced last week that it would cut 85% of its 750-strong workforce. | The company, based in California, announced last week that it would cut 85% of its 750-strong workforce. |
| Earlier this year, a Virgin Orbit rocket failed to complete its first-ever satellite launch from UK soil. | Earlier this year, a Virgin Orbit rocket failed to complete its first-ever satellite launch from UK soil. |
| Virgin Orbit's boss Dan Hart said that although the company had "taken great efforts" to address its finances and secure more funding, "we ultimately must do what is best for the business." | Virgin Orbit's boss Dan Hart said that although the company had "taken great efforts" to address its finances and secure more funding, "we ultimately must do what is best for the business." |
| He said that Virgin Orbit will now concentrate on finding a buyer for the business "to provide clarity on the future of the company to its customers, vendors, and employees". | |
| Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 and is a spin-off from Sir Richard's space tourism company Virgin Galactic. | Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 and is a spin-off from Sir Richard's space tourism company Virgin Galactic. |
| It launches rockets from beneath modified Boeing 747 planes to send satellites into space. | It launches rockets from beneath modified Boeing 747 planes to send satellites into space. |
| But in January, an attempt to send a satellite into orbit from the UK for the first time failed because a rocket fuel filter had become dislodged, causing one of the engines to overheat. | |
| Watch: Virgin Orbit rocket heads into space | |
| Watch: Virgin Orbit rocket heads into space | |
| The mission had been billed as a milestone for UK space exploration. | |
| It was hoped it would mark a major step in helping to turn the country into a global player - from manufacturing satellites to building rockets and creating new spaceports. | |
| Virgin Orbit, which is mostly owned by Virgin Group, scrambled to find new funding following the UK rocket failure and paused operations last month to conserve cash. | |
| On Tuesday, the company said one of its sister companies - Virgin Investments - would provide $31.6m in new money to help Virgin Orbit through the process of finding a buyer. | |
| Mr Hart said despite the financial problems, he was confident the company had a "wide appeal" to a new owner because its team had created "cutting edge launch technology". | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Companies | Companies |
| British space programme | British space programme |
| Richard Branson | Richard Branson |
| Space exploration | Space exploration |