The first satellite mission ever launched from British territory failed.
A jumbo plane operated by the American corporation Virgin Orbit transported a rocket from Newquay, Cornwall, to high above the Atlantic Ocean, where it was released.
The rocket appeared to be climbing properly after being fired. The corporation later reported that the rocket had experienced an “anomaly.”
The satellites it was transporting were unable to be released, resulting in their loss.
The 747-carrier Cosmic Girl returned safely to base.
The mission was touted as a great achievement for the British space program, signifying the birth of a domestic launch industry. The goal is to transform the nation into a global player by producing satellites, constructing rockets, and establishing new spaceports.
Ian Annett, deputy chief executive officer of the United Kingdom Space Agency, stated that this demonstrates “how difficult” it is to reach orbit. But he projected several launches within the next 12 months.
“We get back up, we go back, we try again, and that is what characterizes us,” he said.
The director of the agency’s launch program, Matt Archer, stated that the problem happened in the rocket’s upper part.
He explained, “The second-stage engine had a technical problem and failed to attain the requisite orbit.”
He told, “That is currently being investigated by Virgin Orbit and other government departments.
Mr. Archer was unable to confirm whether the rocket had returned to Earth. But stated that if it had, it would have landed in an uninhabited area.
The satellites were insured to pay their producers and operators.
Virgin Orbit is a relatively new system. Since 2020, it has just been in operation.
It failed on its first flight but afterward completed four successful flights.
The CEO of Virgin Orbit, Dan Hart, stated, “We are aware that we did not give our clients the launch service they deserve. The first-time nature of this mission added levels of complexity, which our team expertly navigated. Nonetheless, it looks that a technical failure stopped us from delivering the last orbit.
“We will work diligently to determine the cause of the malfunction, implement corrective measures. And return to orbit as soon as a thorough investigation and mission assurance process have been completed.”
The United Kingdom has previously launched rockets into space, but never placed satellites in orbit. Earlier operations were conducted as part of military exercises or for atmospheric research, and the vehicles involved immediately descended.
The country’s space sector, recognized internationally for producing satellites of various sizes, has always had to transport its products to other spaceports for launch.
Adding a launch capability will allow the sector to perform everything from initial design to mission execution in the future.
Over 2,000 fans and VIPs had gathered at Cornwall Newquay Airport to witness the departure of the 747. The news that something had gone awry spread, and they dispersed.
The failure on Monday night is a setback for all parties concerned, including Virgin Orbit, the satellite owners, and Spaceport Cornwall, which organized the trip.
Melissa Thorpe, the spaceport’s director, stated, “It’s been emotional.”
“Everyone has invested a tremendous amount of time and effort into this, so its failure is incredibly devastating. But it’s space, and the cliche is that it’s difficult. We are fully aware of the difficulty.”
She said that the initial phase of the mission, the drop from the plane, had gone according to plan. And she was optimistic that they will be able to embark on another trip in the “near future.”
George Freeman, the UK’s science minister, followed Mr. Hart from Virgin Orbit to Cornwall to console his crew.
In a tweet, the minister referenced John F. Kennedy’s famous phrase from the 1960s: “We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are difficult.”
