"Bankrupt Virgin Orbit receives $17 million bid for aircraft assets"

Bankrupt rocket company Virgin Orbit has received a $17 million "stalking horse" bid for its modified 747 carrier jet and other aircraft assets from aerospace venture Stratolaunch, which is developing the world's largest airplane called "Roc" as an airborne platform for hypersonic flight testing. The deal would see Stratolaunch buy Virgin Orbit's aircraft assets for cash, with a $1.7 million deposit to be made by the buyer immediately in escrow if the deal goes through. Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy protection on April 4 after the company failed to secure a funding lifeline and laid off nearly its entire workforce.