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UK to Become Space Superpower as Virgin Wins Permit For Space Launch
UK to Become a True Space Superpower as Virgin Wins Permit For Space Launch
Virgin Wins Permit to Carry Out UK's First Ever Space Launch - From Brand New Facility
Virgin Orbit has secured licences to carry out the UK's first ever space launch in a mission named 'Start Me Up' - and the company plans to launch the aircraft from Cornwall
BBC News 22 DEC 2022.
Richard Branson ’s Virgin Orbit has been awarded licences to operate the UK's first ever space launch.
The aircraft engineering company is planning the launch from Spaceport Cornwall at Cornwall Airport Newquay in the coming weeks.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Virgin Orbit demonstrated it has "taken all reasonable steps to ensure safety risks arising from launch activities are as low as reasonably practicable."
The mission, named Start Me Up in tribute to rock band The Rolling Stones, will involve a repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft and Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket.
The 747 will take off horizontally at Cornwall Airport Newquay while carrying the rocket, before then releasing it at 35,000ft over the Atlantic Ocean to the south of Ireland.
The plan will then return to the spaceport, while the rocket will ignite its engine and continue on up.
The rocket will take multiple small satellites into orbit with a range of civil and defence applications. These will be the first satellites launched into space from Europe.
Previously, s atellites produced in the UK have first needed to be sent to foreign spaceports to get them into space.
CAA director for space regulation Tim Johnson said: “This is another major milestone in enabling the very first orbital space launch from UK shores, and these licences will assist Virgin Orbit with their final preparations for launch.
“Effective licensing forms an integral part of UK space activity, and with public safety at the heart of our decision making we’ve worked with Virgin Orbit to assess their applications and issue licences within our expected timelines.”
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit has been given the OK to operate the UK's first space launch
Virgin Orbit chief executive Dan Hart said: “Receiving Virgin Orbit’s range and launch licences takes us one step closer to the first satellite launch take-off from UK soil.
“This is a major milestone for the CAA and represents the successful completion of an enormous effort, which has included the construction of new regulations, new processes and new teams.
“With our partners at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Spaceport Cornwall, UK Space Agency and our payload customers, together we are progressing towards the first launch from Cornwall – keeping a strong focus on a safe and successful mission for all.”
The first launch will take place in Cornwall
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