Satellite launches from Spaceport Cornwall moved a step closer following Virgin Orbit’s third successful commercial mission. Virgin Orbit launched several satellites to orbit during the ‘Above the Clouds’ mission in California last week.

The Virgin Orbit system launches rockets from beneath the wing of a Boeing 747 in mid-flight. This allows flexibility in the choice of launch site, and allows launch from regular airports.

Spaceport Cornwall aims to be the UK’s first such ‘horizontal launch’ site and expects the first satellite to be launched from UK soil in summer 2022.

The mission in California saw the launch of two Polish satellites designed for agricultural support, and one British satellite designed to help address growing issue of space debris by gathering data about the environment in Low Earth Orbit.

The UK Space Agency’s deputy CEO Ian Annett said, “The UK is home to some of the world’s leading satellite manufacturers, which currently ship their products overseas for launch. We are supporting them by fostering a new domestic launch market, with spaceports and launch operators providing services across the UK and catalysing investment from all over the world.”

Melissa Thorpe, head of Spaceport Cornwall added, “With another successful launch, our partners Virgin Orbit are proving a new, more sustainable way for satellites to access space. We are so excited to bring this technology to UK soil, and to demonstrate how we can launch responsibly, create amazing jobs and inspire the nation.”