Final preparations are under way ahead of the first rocket launch from UK soil. Several satellites are due to be blasted into space on Monday night from Cornwall Airport near Newquay.
If all goes to plan the launch will take place at Spaceport Cornwall as part of the Start Me Up mission. The initial window for the historic mission will open at 10.16pm on Monday, with additional back-up dates continuing into mid and late January
Named in tribute to The Rolling Stones’ 1981 hit, the mission involves a repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft and Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket. The 747, dubbed Cosmic Girl, will take off horizontally from the new facility while carrying the rocket.
