https://apnews.com/e82b1a25d21b4c6091f18aa5e4a02c98

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Southern California-based Virgin Orbit has reached a milestone in developing its airborne orbital launch system.

The company says this week it mated a LauncherOne rocket to a special Boeing 747 at Long Beach Airport and will soon begin a series of flights that will culminate with a drop test in which the booster will be released from beneath the jet's left wing.