Exciting news this year for Britain’s space industry as a collaborative effort sees the first space programme launch from Britain since 1971.   A Virgin Boeing 747, also known as Cosmic Girl, will be launched into space as the first rocket (or ex-plane) on British soil- specifically Cornwall.  Previously the UK has only sent one orbital launch back in 1971 called the Black Arrow, but was completed in Australia.

 

Virgin Orbit and Spaceport Cornwall teamed together to bring the UK back into the forefront of the space industry without relying on the USA, Russia or India. With such advancements in the British space industry, it would help boost the economy, and give more high skill jobs and opportunities across the country.

 

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godrey of UK Space Command stated “… Developing new launch capabilities will build on the strengths of our space sector and attract companies from around the world to benefit from these commercial opportunities. This will be a catalyse investment, bringing new jobs to communities and organisations right across the UK, as well as inspiring the next generations of space scientists and engineers.”

 

The companies hoped to have Cosmic Girl launched by the end of last year, but due to some technical issues and licences to sort out, the launch will be on the 9th January at 10:16 pm. The program has been funded £5.5 million to get into space and send eight small satellites into orbit. The satellites will be a good help for security and providing us new updates about the effects of climate change. Hopefully this will just be the start of  Britain’s input in future space explorations.