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Tag: UK Space Agency

  • PRESS RELEASE : First orbital satellite launch from UK [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : First orbital satellite launch from UK [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the UK Space Agency on 16 January 2023.

    On 9 January 2023, the first ever orbital launch attempt from UK soil took place by Virgin Orbit from Spaceport Cornwall. Although the rocket reached space, it did not reach the orbit required to enable it to successfully deliver its payloads.

    It did, however, demonstrate the UK’s growing satellite launch capability.

    What happened during the first launch?

    The first launch was attempted from Spaceport Cornwall in the south-west of England on the evening of 9 January 2023. It was what is known as a ‘horizontal launch’.

    A specially modified Boeing 747 from Virgin Orbit called Cosmic Girl, with a rocket attached under its wing, took off from Spaceport Cornwall.

    In flight, the LauncherOne rocket deployed from the wing as planned and began its journey to space.

    Unfortunately the rocket was not successful in reaching the required orbit. The plane returned safely to the Spaceport.

    The project succeeded in creating a horizontal launch capability at Spaceport Cornwall.

    Spaceport Cornwall is situated at Newquay Airport, near the coast of Cornwall. The 747 flew out over the sea and launched its rocket far away from populated areas.

    Why launch from the UK?

    The UK has a growing space sector, which employs 47,000 people. UK space companies have a strong track record in satellite manufacturing, spacecraft design and data applications. In fact, Glasgow builds more satellites than anywhere outside the United States. Soon we’ll be able to launch them from the UK too.

    The UK is also located relatively far north, which means it’s perfect for launching satellites into polar and Sun-synchronous orbits, which go over the north and south poles. These orbits are ideal for satellites that monitor the Earth and provide telecommunications.

    With a long coastline and many islands, the UK offers a range of suitable locations for launching rockets safely out over the sea – away from settlements and people.

    What benefits will it bring?

    Launch services are worth a potential £3.8 billion to the UK economy over the next decade.

    UK spaceports will need new skills, supply chains and supporting services, creating high-skilled jobs and opportunities across the country. For example, Spaceport Cornwall and the Centre for Space Technologies expect to create 150 jobs.

    Through initiatives such as our LogoLiftOff! and Nanosat Design competitions, the UK Space Agency is also harnessing launch as a platform to encourage young people to pursue STEM subjects in order to help grow the UK’s future space talent pipeline.

    Safety and the environment

    Safety, security and protection of the environment are top priorities for the UK government.

    We have progressive regulations for launch which make it safe for the public and protect the environment, while allowing new technologies to be used as they are developed.

    The government is very careful about the impact launches have on the environment and won’t allow launches to happen before a detailed assessment of their environmental effects has been done.

    Rocket launches do release some CO2 and other by-products, but they take place infrequently and the satellites being launched bring significant benefits.

    Half of the data we need to monitor climate change can only come from satellites – so it’s vital to get them into space.

    UK rocket manufacturers are also working to make rocket launches better for the environment, including turning unrecyclable plastic waste and even beeswax into rocket fuel.

    Future launches

    The UK has made significant steps forward towards achieving our launch ambitions and further our position as Europe’s most attractive destination for commercial launch activities.

    Through the 2021 Space Industry Regulations, our outcome-focused regulatory framework is the most modern space legislation in the world, with a focus on safety and the flexibility to support the pace of innovation.

    We have used our strong global partnerships to work with international partners to secure the agreements we need to enable UK launch including with Ireland, Iceland, Portugal, the Faroe Islands and Norway to secure their support for UK launch activities.

    The UK remains committed to becoming the leading provider of commercial small satellite launch in Europe by 2030.

    There are several other spaceports currently planned or under construction in the UK. These are in England, Scotland and Wales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government ministers visit spaceport ahead of first UK launch [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government ministers visit spaceport ahead of first UK launch [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the UK Space Agency on 8 November 2022.

    Science Minister, George Freeman, and Transport Technology Minister, Jesse Norman, joined representatives from the UK Space Agency to meet those behind the mission and saw Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket and its carrier aircraft, Cosmic Girl – which will launch from Spaceport Cornwall – up close.

    Ministers also toured the spaceport’s new Space Systems Integration Facility, the first of its kind at a spaceport in the UK, where the satellites have been integrated into the rocket ready for launch. Spaceport Cornwall will deliver 150 direct jobs and 240 indirect jobs by 2030.

    Science Minister George Freeman said:

    The first ever satellite launch from UK soil, here at Spaceport Cornwall, will be a giant leap for our fast-growing commercial satellite and space sector. This is one of our most innovative industries, generating new opportunities in Cornwall and beyond, with high-growth companies such as Space Forge, Surrey Satellites, Astroscale, Inmarsat, Open Cosmos, and the thriving Scottish space cluster.

    By establishing the UK as the leading European base to launch small satellites, we can build on our existing strengths in areas such as space manufacturing, in-flight manufacturing, satellite and debris retrieval, and launch licensing insurance and finance, to create jobs across the country, grow the economy and attract international investment.

    Transport Technology Minister Jesse Norman said:

    We have one of the most advanced space sectors in the world, and the first commercial space launch from the UK will be a landmark moment both for the country and for our transport sector.

    The mission, which has been named ‘Start Me Up’ in tribute to the iconic British band, the Rolling Stones, will be the first orbital launch from the UK, meeting a key ambition of the Government’s National Space Strategy, as well as being the first commercial launch from Europe and the first international launch from Virgin Orbit.

    Both Cosmic Girl – an adapted Boeing 747 – and LauncherOne arrived separately in Cornwall last month, and the rocket is now in place under the wing of the aircraft.

    Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said:

    We are at the dawn of a new era for space launch in the UK and about to achieve the goal of putting satellites into orbit in 2022. This is an immensely proud moment for the UK Space Agency and all those who have worked so hard to make this ambition a reality.

    Establishing orbital launch capabilities in the UK is already bringing new growth through investment and jobs into Cornwall and other communities across the UK, inspiring a new generation of space professionals whether in science, engineering, law and other disciplines.

    Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, said:

    It’s been phenomenal to welcome so many supporters of the UK space sector here to Spaceport Cornwall ahead of our first launch.

    My team and I loved showing the world how much work and how much international collaboration is going into making this world-first a reality. This marks just the beginning of a global movement with Space For Good at its core.

    Dan Hart, CEO Virgin Orbit, said:

    We’re honoured to be part of this historic mission to open up the UK’s first international spaceport in Cornwall. With this mission we break new ground across the commercial space sector and important allied collaboration in space. Our company is here to serve our customers and their ambitions. Virgin Orbit is up and running and working to obtain final approvals to move forward.

    The UK Government’s National Space Strategy sets out how the UK will become the first country in Europe to launch satellites into orbit in 2022. Spaceport Cornwall is one of seven spaceport sites being developed across the UK which will help unleash a wave of innovation and create hundreds of new jobs across the country. All UK launches are subject to receiving a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority.

    Councillor Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said:

    We’re delighted that ministers were able to visit Spaceport Cornwall as we gear up for the UK’s first ever satellite launch.

    This is an incredibly exciting time, not only for the Spaceport and those directly involved in “Start Me Up” but for Cornwall as a whole, and I’d like to pay tribute to all those involved for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point.

    We have a long and storied history of engineering excellence in Cornwall, and the potential benefits that Spaceport Cornwall brings to our economy have never been clearer. From new jobs and new investment to inspiring the next generation of tech pioneers and space professionals, this promises to be yet another red letter day in our shared history.