Via TravelPulse, Virgin Galactic now has a 747 Rocket Launcher. The aircraft, named, Launcher One, is a retired Virgin Atlantic 747, which was previously named “Cosmic Girl” (and if you ask me, they should’ve kept the name). The concept, is that this 747 aircraft would get up to altitude with a payload (read: rocket), and then would deploy the rocket, which would require less fuel to get the rest of the way to orbit.

The concept, is that Launcher One can more efficiently deploy payloads of less than 200 kilograms (441 pounds), so cheap that it will cost only $10 million dollars, or roughly $22,675 per pound, which, happens to be more than double the current cost, according to NASA. Despite it’s being more costly, it certainly offers a quick reaction option to get small payloads to space.

Richard Branson, at the unveiling, stated:

The Boeing 747 has a very special place in my heart: we began service on my first airline, Virgin Atlantic, with just one leased 747. I never imagined that today one of our 747s would get a second chance and help open access to space. I’m absolutely thrilled that Cosmic Girl can stay in the Virgin family — and truly live up to her name!

It is a touching comment, and in my opinion, a great use of the Queen of the Skies, considering the current market trends, of airlines choosing twin-engine widebodies vs. the four engine aircraft.

Perhaps this is an attempt to diversify Virgin Galactic’s business model beyond just offering human space flight, where, as the article states,

Its commercial space tourism business has been delayed by years, though the list of those who have made deposits for a ride numbers into the hundreds.

In my opinion, this is a great move, unfortunately, it is into a market space that has very high barriers to entry, and is already somewhat cluttered with United Launch Alliance (ULA), SpaceX, Orbital ATK, and well, Russia.