The company behind Wales' first ever satellite have said they are "devastated" after an attempt to launch it into orbit was unsuccessful. It was hoped that British space history would be made on Monday, January 9, when the Virgin Orbit plane carrying the first rocket to launch from the UK took off from Spaceport Cornwall.
However the launch ended in failure as the rocket suffered an "anomaly" that meant it didn't reach orbit. On board the rocket, which reportedly burned up in the atmosphere following the failed launch, were nine satellites including one designed and built by Cardiff-based start-up, Space Forge.
Set up by friends, Joshua Western and Andrew Bacon in 2018, Space Forge is focused on transforming the way humanity makes products through harnessing the unique conditions of space. They have developed the world's first returnable satellite, which will be used to produce materials that are impossible to manufacture on Earth, such as new alloys, medicines, and semiconductors, and lead a "new, clean industrial revolution" using microgravity. You can get more Welsh news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
