Now, all eyes are on Newquay, Cornwall, for the very first satellite launch from British soil.
Virgin Orbit, a company owned by Sir Richard Branson, successfully launched seven additional spacecraft from California into orbit over the weekend and is now relocating its operations to England.
Flt Lt Matthew “Stanny” Stannard, who piloted the most recent mission and will be at the controls again when the first British launch occurs, likely in September, stated, “Everything now is about getting to Cornwall.”
Sir Richard’s company has now successfully launched four satellites from the Mojave spaceport in California.
However, the Virgin Group entrepreneur has always intended to export his rocket technology across the Atlantic.
A control center and satellite integration facility are both in the process of being outfitted at Newquay airport, where preparations are proceeding quickly.
Already, the southwest of England is experiencing an economic boost as a result of the anticipated launch of Virgin Orbit from Newquay (a second launch is in the planning). In this region, space startups are beginning to congregate.
“This launch will be incredibly significant. “The United Kingdom has a fantastic space industry, especially in the small satellite market, but it lacks a launch capability, and we’re about to fill that void,” stated Flt Lt Stannard.
“Because space is often intangible and unseen, it does not always captivate the imaginations of school-aged children.
“However, they will be able to see a rocket, so to speak, and I believe that will capture their imagination.”
Licensing will likely be the greatest obstacle for a mission in September. Before launching a rocket mission from the United Kingdom, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) must grant permission to Virgin Orbit.
However, Dan Hart, the CEO of the California company, is confident that the approvals will be granted.
“The CAA has worked with our experts to ensure that they comprehend the system. This conversation has greatly aided in clarifying their inquiries and ensuring that the regulatory process moves forward, he told reporters.
A horizontal launch system is what Virgin Orbit is. It is very different from the vertical systems that everyone is familiar with, in which a rocket rises vertically from a stationary launch pad.
Virgin Orbit utilizes a modified Virgin Atlantic 747 to transport the rocket to the altitude before releasing it into space.
This strategy reduces the amount of fuel required to launch a rocket into orbit, and also increases the system’s flexibility, allowing missions to be launched from any runway on Earth with a sufficient length.
Matthew Stannard is on loan from the Royal Air Force to Virgin Orbit.
On the weekend’s night flight (Friday night, California; Saturday morning, United Kingdom), he occupied the Cosmic Girl seat on the 747’s left side. This entrusted him with the responsibility of piloting the aircraft to the designated drop location approximately 35,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
When the command to release the rocket was given, Flt Lt Stannard had to pull the 747’s nose up 35 degrees and bank hard to the right to avoid the booster as its engine ignited.
“Because it was a night during this particular flight, there was no mistaking that the engine had started. “Without looking out the window, you could see the glow of the engine emanating from the cockpit,” he told.
Matthew Stannard and the rest of the Virgin Orbit team will likely transport Cosmic Girl and the rocket for the UK mission to Cornwall approximately six weeks before launch.
A series of dress rehearsals are scheduled to familiarise everyone with their responsibilities. This includes British air traffic control, which will be responsible for managing the airspace over the Atlantic where the rocket will be dropped.
There are currently seven satellites scheduled to ride on the Cornish rocket mission, including the first-ever Welsh satellite created by the Space Forge company in Cardiff.
