Virgin Orbit, the satellite launch arm of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, is ready for lift-off from Cornwall Airport Newquay this evening (January 9). This is the second time that the space company will attempt the launch after an attempt before Christmas was stood down in order for more tests to be carried out.
The historic mission will see a repurposed 747 release a rocket over the Atlantic Ocean to take nine satellites above Earth. The satellites include commercial and government payloads from several nations and a collaborative US-UK mission.
According to Virgin Orbit, the satellites span a wide range of activities aimed at improving life on Earth. They include “reducing the environmental impact of production; preventing illegal trafficking, smuggling and terrorism; and a host of national security functions”.
