The UK counts down to its first ever orbital satellite launch (Update: the mission failed)

The first ever orbital satellite launch from the UK — and Europe — was set for takeoff on Monday, January 9. The so-called “Start Me UP” mission, led by US-based Virgin Orbit, set out from Spaceport Cornwall at Newquay Airport at round 21:15 UTC.

At the middle of the mission was a modified Boeing 747 plane, the Cosmic Girl, fitted with Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One rocket, which was carrying 9 civil and protection satellites.

Interested viewers who watched the launch through Virgin Orbit’s livestream beneath have been confronted with disappointment: the mission failed.

Cosmic Girl was to take off from Spaceport Cornwall and ascend to an altitude of 35,000 toes (10.6 kilometers) above the Atlantic Ocean. Following about an hour of flying, it will launch the rocket. Launcher One would then carry out one orbital burn with every of its two levels earlier than releasing the satellites.

According to Virgin Orbit, Cosmic Girl efficiently launched the rocket, which managed to attain area. But throughout the firing of Launcher One’s second stage engine — at which level the rocket was touring at a velocity of greater than 17,703km/h — “the system experienced an anomaly,” ending the mission.

Dan Hart, the firm’s CEO, famous {that a} “technical failure” appears to be the motive behind the rocket’s unsuccessful try to ship the remaining orbit. ”

We will work tirelessly to perceive the nature of the failure, make corrective actions, and return to orbit as quickly as we have now accomplished a full investigation and mission assurance course of,” he added. 

A future profitable mission shall be a significant milestone for the UK’s area sector, marking the starting of a domestic-based launch business.

“The development of new orbital launch capabilities is already generating growth, catalyzing investment, and creating jobs in Cornwall and other communities across the United Kingdom,” Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, mentioned in a earlier assertion.

“I look forward to seeing more launches from other UK spaceports over the next year, putting us firmly on the map as Europe’s leading destination for commercial small satellite launch,” he continued.