Virgin Orbit rocket launches 7 satellites into California

A Virgin Orbit rocket launched a series of satellites for the U.S. Defense Department on Friday night.

The satellites were launched from a Boeing 747 flying off the Southern California coast.

The modified jumbo jet took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in the Mojave Desert and released the rocket over the Pacific Ocean.

It was a mission that was arranged by the U.S. Space Force for a Defense Department test program.

The seven satellites will conduct various experiments.

Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 by British billionaire Richard Branson. It is headquartered in Long Beach, California and currently conducts launches from the Mojave airport, but is planning international missions.

It was Virgin Orbit's fourth commercial launch and first night launch.

The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday night, but a propellant temperature issue caused the postponement.

The mission was named Straight Up after Paula Abdul hit, which was released in 1988 through Virgin Records.

The company plans to launch two satellites on a mission from Cornwall, England later this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.