CNN
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Cornwall, a remote region in southwestern England, is set to become the center of attention as Virgin Boeing 747, dubbed “Cosmic Girl,” prepares to launch a rocket into space from Spaceport Cornwall.
The aircraft, which used to be a Virgin Atlantic passenger jumbo jet, has been modified to carry LauncherOne, a rocket that will be released into orbit at an altitude of 34,000 feet.
This launch will mark the first orbital space launch for the United Kingdom and the first international launch for Virgin Orbit. It will also be Europe’s first satellite launch.
Marc Andrew, a local resident of Newquay, Cornwall, witnessed the aircraft’s test flight and is excited to witness the historic launch next month.
Cosmic Girl will carry seven satellites into low Earth orbit, marking a significant milestone for Virgin Orbit’s ambitions in the space industry.
This project enables Virgin Orbit to offer a broader range of orbits than traditional ground-launched systems, according to the company.
LauncherOne, the rocket to be released from under the 747’s left wing, can reach speeds of up to 17,000 miles per hour.
The launch is scheduled for next month, and it will be an important moment for the UK Space Agency and Virgin Orbit. The success of this launch will pave the way for future space missions from Cornwall.
Once the rocket is released, it will carry seven satellites that will start orbiting the Earth in a low Earth orbit.
The project will expand to include horizontal launches in Australia, Brazil, Japan, Poland, and the Republic of Korea, according to Virgin Orbit’s plans.
Virgin Orbit’s chief pilot, Matthew Stannard, expressed his excitement about bringing Cosmic Girl back to the UK and being weeks away from the first UK launch.
Melissa Thorpe, head of Spaceport Cornwall, is thrilled to see the infrastructure in place as it makes their launch ambitions a reality.
With this successful launch, the UK will mark a significant milestone in its space industry, joining other countries in the international space race.
