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Manifest complete, flight hardware departs California for the first orbital launch from UK soil
The countdown to Cornwall has begun as Virgin Orbit (NASDAQ:VORB) readies for Start Me Upthe newly-titled forthcoming historic launch from the United Kingdom. The launch provider’s carrier aircraft, ground support equipment (GSE), and rocket will depart this week from California following the first round of now complete wet dress rehearsals. On track for a November launch, Start Me Up is led by a joint mission between the US and UK governments, launched by Virgin Orbit, the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA), UK Space Command, and Spaceport Cornwall.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221010005791/en/
Virgin Orbit Straight Up mission emblem. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Start Me Up will be a launch of many firsts: the first orbital launch ever from the United Kingdom; the first international launch for Virgin Orbit, and the first commercial launch from Western Europe. The first of the company’s hardware will begin its transport to Cornwall, UK on Sunday October 9thdue to arrive at Spaceport Cornwall on Tuesday October 11th with the GSE and rocket quickly following later in the week.
Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, said: “What an incredible honor it is for us to be part of something as monumental as bringing Britain into the business of launch. Working with our partners across the UK government, we’re starting up a new capability that will serve the people, the economy, and the security of the UK.”
UK Minister of Science Nusrat Ghani said: “As we move ever closer to the first satellite launch from UK soil, it’s excellent to see the progress being made by Virgin Orbit, Spaceport Cornwall and those across government in delivering this historic mission, the first of its kind in Europe.
“With 47,000 jobs across the UK, our growing space industry is a vital part of the economy and has an important role to play in catalysing investment, generating growth and prosperity. I’m looking forward to working with this innovative sector and delivering on our National Space Strategy.”
Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said: “Seeing Virgin Orbit’s aircraft take off is an exciting reminder that we are close to the first launch from UK soil and the first launch of a satellite from Europe. This will be an iconic moment in the history of UK space endeavours, so it is fitting that the mission has been named after a song from the Rolling Stones, one of the UK’s most iconic bands.”
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey (Commander, UK Space Command), commented: “The completion of the fuelling and pressurisation dress rehearsals …
Full story available on Benzinga.com
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