The first ever orbital space launch from British soil is getting ready to blast off.
The mission will see a repurposed 747 jumbo jet release a rocket over the Atlantic to take nine satellites high above the Earth.
After weeks of delays, Britain is finally launching an orbital space rocket into the galaxy, in what’s become a big moment for the UK and its aerospatial program.
That’s because it’s the first-ever launch from British soil. Previous cooperation was with the European space agency and took place abroad.
This first foray is with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit company – not like a typical NASA launch.
Flight plans have it leaving Cornwall, England and heading out over the Atlantic ocean. Once it reaches 35,000 feet – the engines will fire up and the rocket will blast into space.
If the launch goes to plan, nine small satellites will be released into an orbit more than 500km above the planet. They have a mix of civil and military applications, ranging from ocean monitoring to navigation technology.
