Today will be the UK’s first orbital launch from a runway in Cornwall.
space girl – A modified Boeing 747 that was once a passenger airliner will launch a rocket into space.
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit is behind the launch.
Here’s exactly where the launch happens, and everything else you need to know about it.
Where in Cornwall does the rocket launch take place?
The launch will take place at the Cornwall Space Center at Newquay Airport.
Newquay Airport was chosen because its RAF base has one of the longest runways of any UK regional airport and direct access to the transatlantic flight route.
The area also has a low civilian population compared to many other UK airports.
The Gunhilly Earth Station, located about 35 miles southwest of the spaceport, is already a world-famous facility that has played an important role in the satellite communications industry for over 50 years.
Dhara Patel, an aerospace expert at the National Space Agency, told the BBC that this was a key factor in choosing Cornwall as the launch site.
“What made Cornwall Spaceport a really attractive place is that it is in the southwest with a very dynamic space cluster,” he said. “There are a lot of companies, research centers, manufacturing plants here.
“Things like transport infrastructure are in place – you want to have good connections, but you want to be far enough away that you are not near densely populated areas – if the launch fails, you don’t want people there. “
It is expected that 50 people will be employed at this spaceport in the next three years.
When is the rocket launch?
The launch window currently opens at 22:16.
A select few can watch the live broadcast at the launch pad after purchasing tickets for the historic event.
Those who weren’t lucky enough to be there can watch the live stream on Virgin Orbit’s YouTube channel here.
If the launch cannot take place tonight, alternative dates are planned for mid-January.
What is the purpose of the launch?
Once space girl After flying over the Atlantic at an altitude of about 35,000 feet (10,700 m), it will launch a LauncherOne rocket.
This will send seven satellites into orbit before the modified plane returns to base around midnight.
These will be the first satellites to be launched from Europe. In the past, British-made satellites had to be sent to foreign launch sites to begin their journey in space.
The launch was originally supposed to take place before Christmas but had to be pushed back to 2023 due to technical and regulatory issues.
Ian Annette, Deputy Director General of the UK Space Agency, said: “With the first ever satellite launch from within the UK and Europe, we are entering a new era for space in the UK.
“This is an important milestone for the nation, the UK Space Agency and for all those who have worked so hard for many years to realize our ambitions and make commercial space launch possible.
“I look forward to more launches from other UK launch sites in the coming year, putting us firmly on the map as the leading European destination for commercial small satellite launches.”
Melissa Thorpe, director of the Cornwall launch site, said: “This is a phenomenal moment of incredible international cooperation.
“Virgin Orbit, the UK Space Agency and all of our partners are breaking new ground to change the way space is accessed around the world from here in Cornwall. My team at Cornwall has worked so hard to get this far. Good luck everyone, when the launch window opens, we’re ready.
Source: I News
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