The first ever orbital satellite launch from the UK is happening
soon, marking a new era in the UK’s space history.
Launches are part of the UK’s commercial spaceflight programme,
meeting goals set out in the government’s National Space
Strategy.
Read more about
our vision for establishing and promoting launch from the UK.
How the launch will work
The first launch will take place from Spaceport Cornwall in
the south-west of England. It will be 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, will take off
from a runway. In flight, the LauncherOne rocket will launch from
the wing, taking multiple small satellites into orbit.
The plane will then return to the Spaceport, able to launch more
satellites in future.
Spaceport Cornwall is situated at Newquay Airport, near the coast
of Cornwall. The 747 will fly out over the sea and launch 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 are we launching
Several small satellites will be launched into orbit on the first
UK launch.
The satellites will do many different things, including improving
navigation and communications.
Several of the satellites have been built in the UK, including a
research satellite from RHEA Group, which was built by Open
Cosmos in Oxfordshire.
The first Welsh satellite will also be on the launch, from
Cardiff-based Space Forge. It will test the process of using the
unique microgravity environment of space to manufacture special
materials that are much more difficult to make on Earth.
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!
How to get involved in the launch
There are lots of ways you can take part in the launch.
You can:
- come along to our event at the Science Museum in London on 15
and 16 October 2022 to see a full-scale replica of the
LauncherOne rocket!
- check out educational
resources from Spaceport Cornwall.
- watch the launch live via a Virgin Orbit livestream (more
info to come closer to launch)
After first launch
There are several other spaceports currently planned or under
construction in the UK. These are in England, Scotland and Wales.
You can find out more about these in our Spaceport Brochure.
