The Start Me Up mission’s launch from Spaceport Cornwall represents a significant milestone for the United Kingdom’s space program. The United Kingdom has conducted only one orbital launch to date, the Black Arrow in 1971, which took off from Australia.
On Monday, a historic rocket launch from the United Kingdom’s southwest coast will propel satellites into space.
Assuming favorable weather, the launch window for the Start Me Up mission will open at 10:16 p.m., when the LauncherOne system will be hoisted into the sky from Spaceport Cornwall.
It will be tucked beneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747 named Cosmic Girl, together with a payload of satellites. Including a prototype orbiting factory for producing high-value metals and semiconductors.
The announcement of a launch date for the first orbital launch from the United Kingdom. Or any place in Western Europe – comes after technical concerns prevented it from occurring before Christmas.
After a successful rehearsal on Thursday, however, the Monday evening date was confirmed.
If severe weather or other issues arise between now and the launch window. Other dates for later in the week have been designated.
Melissa Thorpe, the director of Spaceport Cornwall, referred to the launch date as a “phenomenal occasion” that would “change global access to space.”
In November, the Civil Aviation Authority issued the United Kingdom’s first-ever spaceport license. Which marked the beginning of intensified launch preparations.
The next month, Virgin Orbit, the launch operator, was granted its licenses.
This week, licenses were issued for each satellite being carried, including the so-called Dover Pathfinder. Which was designed by the British technical firm RHEATECH.
Pathfinder is the initial step in the development of a constellation of satellites to protect the nation’s defense. And essential national infrastructure, such as power grids and communications networks, from hostile assaults.
How does the launch function?
This will be a horizontal launch as opposed to a vertical launch in the style of NASA.
Given that Cosmic Girl is an aging Boeing 747, the nighttime view from Spaceport Cornwall will resemble that of any other sky taking off.
Under its left wing is LauncherOne, which will be released over the Atlantic Ocean at 35,000 feet. Before rushing to 8,000 miles per hour on its mission to deploy seven satellites into orbit.
Are you able to view it?
It will be visible across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and portions of France, Portugal, and Spain.
Virgin Orbit, the launch operator, has issued maps indicating when and where space fans in each country may expect to glimpse the sky.
The course of the 21m (69ft) rocket, which was designed by Virgin Orbit in California, is depicted in blue, with the circles representing the rocket’s estimated location at each minute.
Virgin Orbit estimates that those in the United Kingdom and Ireland will be able to see LauncherOne 60 seconds after ignition. While those in coastal portions of France, Portugal, and Spain will have a clear view in two to three minutes.
The duration of the complete launch phase is predicted to be around 10 minutes.
Why is the mission so meaningful?
The United Kingdom has only ever performed one orbital launch, the Black Arrow in 1971, which took place in Australia.
The Cornwall launch is a component of the government’s National Space Strategy and should pave the way for future endeavors.
Launches from Scotland, notably Sutherland and Shetland, are expected to follow Start Me Up. These will also be vertical satellite launches.
Ian Annett, the UK Space Agency’s deputy chief executive, stated that the Cornwall launch marked the beginning of a “new age for space in the UK.
He stated, “This will lead to new careers, increased productivity. And will excite the next generation of space professionals, and this is only the beginning.”
Over the following year, I anticipate more launches from other UK spaceports, cementing our position. As Europe’s premier destination for commercial small satellite launches.
