This is a depiction of Virgin Galactic's launch vehicle launcherOne, above the surface of the Earth. The ship consists of two stages, which separate above the Earth as shown here. The front houses a payload. LauncherOne can launch satellites into orbit but by itself does not launch from the ground. Instead, a specially modified aeroplane carries it up to an altitude of 12 km (50, 000 feet) where it is released, and goes on to reach low earth orbit where its payload is deployed.