Steve Limtiaco

Pacific Daily News USA TODAY Network

Guam has been selected as a launch site for a new commercial service by Virgin Orbit that will take satellites into space, according to the governor's office.

The U.S. Air Force supports using Guam's Andersen Air Force Base to host launches and other exercises associated with Virgin Orbit's "LauncherOne" according to the governor's office, and the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport is seeking a launch site operator's license from the FAA.

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The LauncherOne system sends payloads into space using a rocket attached to a modified 747.Guam is an excellent operations base for those flights because of its remote location and proximity to the equator, according to the governor's office, which said Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio met with company officials in March.

"We are keen to partner with Virgin Orbit to generate a new space industry in Guam and advance our local economy as well as spur new STEM education opportunities for our youth to take us into the future," Tenorio stated.

Launching from Guam will give Virgin Orbit easy access to the orbits its customers need, company CEO Dan Hart said in a written statement. "With our air-launched system, we will fly out as any other airplane, move out to sea and release our rocket. Our minimal footprint coupled with Guam's natural launch location results in a great match."

He said support from Guam and the company's military partners will provide new launch opportunities for small satellites. From Guam, the company can send a payload of nearly 1,000 pounds into orbit about 310 miles above the equator, according to the governor's office.

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