Virgin Orbit will make its first space rocket launch in the UK

Virgin OrbitBillionaire Corporation Richard Branson On October 11, it announced the possibility of launching its first space rocket through its launch pad “Cosmic Girl” (that it Boeing 747-400, registration N744VG), next November in England.

The mission called “Start Me Up”, based on one of the successes of the British Rolling Stones, will be the first mission from the United Kingdom, and more specifically from Cornwall Spaceport (NQY), in England. It will also be the first launch of these programs internationally and in Western Europe.

Let us recall that the previous four launches of the special rocket were made in the United States, from the Mojave Air and Space Port, through the US company Virgin Orbit, which jointly participates with US government agencies.

The mission is to continue to test-fire missiles with payloads into the atmosphere. On this occasion, the exact date of the launch has not yet been determined, however, this joint mission between the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), will focus on the first satellite launches that include a wide range of activities aimed at To improve life on Earth, including reducing the environmental impact of production; prevention of illegal trade, smuggling and terrorism; and a number of national security functions.

Virgin Orbit is working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the team at Spaceport Cornwall to make all necessary preparations for takeoff.

“start me” It is named after one of the most famous British rock and roll bands of all time, the Rolling Stones. The hit single debuted on the 1981 album Tattoo You and was later released on Virgin Records’ Forty Lakes group in 2002.