All eyes will be on Irish skies tonight as a rocket is launched in the UK by Virgin Orbit - a commercial company set up by Richard Branson to carry satellites into space.
The historic mission will see a repurposed 747 plane, named Cosmic Girl, carry the 21-metre rocket to an altitude of 35,000 feet, before releasing it over the Atlantic Ocean.
Once the rocket, named LauncherOne, is released, its engines will fire up and take nine satellites into Space.
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Launch supervisors are hoping for good weather when the initial launch window opens at 10.16pm. If the weather or other problems halt the launch, other dates are available later this month.
It’s set to lift-off from Cornwall Airport Newquay and will be visible in the sky in parts of western Europe, including Ireland.
Irish viewers may get a glimpse in parts of Cork or Kerry if they look towards the southern horizon just after the launch at 10.16pm. Virgin Orbit said the rocket should be visible for around 60 seconds from Ireland.
After that it will continue to travel across the Atlantic and be viewable west of France and Spain.
It comes as a warning has been issued that rocket debris could fall from the sky and hit an area off the Cork and Kerry coast.
The Department of Transport has warned sailors and fishermen to stay out of a large area of water off the Irish coast for several hours tonight.
The warning is in place from 10pm until 1am, with a spokesperson saying: "There is a low probability for the vehicle to produce dangerous debris if a mishap were to occur".
Aviation authorities have also warned airlines that operate in the area, advising them to take necessary precautions due to the "temporary danger area".
The Irish Aviation Authority told RTE News that Irish air traffic controllers will guide the launch aircraft once it enters Irish-controlled airspace.
Anyone wanting to watch the launch can view a live-stream online via the Virgin Orbit YouTube channel here from 9pm, with lift-off expected around 10.16pm.
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