Ambitious Cornwall Rocket Launch Ends in Failure; What Will Happen to Virgin Orbit Company?

In January 2023, a UK space launch ended up in failure. Sir Richard Branson and his US-based rocket company Virgin Orbit set up to launch satellites, and its goal is to conduct the first-ever satellite mission from the UK. The launch, Start Me Up, was hoped to turn the UK into a global player in satellite manufacturing and spaceports creation.

However, the jumbo jet encountered an anomaly that prematurely stopped the first burn, ending Sir Richard's space dream. It started with dislodging a fuel filter, leading to a series of failures. Upon launching, the rocket ignited and appeared to be rising well vertically. But the company revealed that the jet had experienced an "anomaly." As a result, the satellites it was carrying were not released and got lost instead. Meanwhile, the carrier 747 jet, Cosmic Girl, was returned safely to the base.

The Aftermath of a Failed Mission

After months of a significant mission failure, the firm decided to shut down. After two months, the company paused operations to survive and boost finances. Sir Richard revealed that he lost almost 1.5 billion pounds during the pandemic after his airline and leisure business was affected by lockdowns.

After realizing that Virgin Orbit would not be able to secure funding in the long run, it finally applied for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in early March. The firm also sold off some of its assets which rival start-up Rocket Lab bought. These include the company's headquarters in California and the Boeing 747 plane, which was transformed to help launch satellites. The company received 29.4 million pounds after selling off its properties.

Since the confidence was lost in Virgin Orbit and the company has been sold, it leaves questions about the fate of Spaceport Cornwall being the first licensed spaceport in the UK. The Cornwall team plans to work with other launch companies, such as Sierra Space, and will continue to create a space cluster in the South West.

The failed mission of Virgin Orbit might be an indicator that space dominance is not an easy target. However, the UK is still firm with its ambitions for space.

Emerging Launch Sites in the UK

A launch accident similar to what happened in Virgin Orbit is not likely to happen soon. The region at Newquay Airport is restricted to horizontal launches only. This means that a plane takes off carrying a rocket launched in the middle of the flight.

Other sites around the country are expressing interest in space launches too. Currently, SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland island of Unst leads the way. This vertical launch site is where jets take off upward from a pad. SaxaVord works with other companies, such as German firm Rocket Factory Augsburg, in engine testing, which is scheduled in Shetland this year.

Scotland also has other spaceports, such as the one planned in Sutherland in the Highlands. The Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides is also included in the list.

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