For the first time ever, the UK is ready to become a space power. Satellites made in the UK will now be able to lift off from home ground. This is in the hopes that it will contribute to the British economy. From November onwards, we can expect mini satellites to be flown into orbit from an airport in Newquay, Cornwall.
Before this intervention by Virgin Orbit, Sir Richard Bransons’s company, satellites built in the UK had to be flown to India or Russia. But not anymore. The pilots of the modified Boeing 747 realised how important this was. RAF test pilot Matthew ‘Stanny’ Stannard realised that they are ‘the first stage of a rocket launch system’.
This is a huge step in the advancement of Britain’s space power. Not only will British satellites be flown up into orbits, but other major companies will be able to send their satellites using this Boeing 747.
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What will happen?
From November onwards, a Boeing 747 transformed to carry a small satellite will lift off from Newquay to deliver its payload into orbit. The plane, operated by Virgin Obit, will be able to fly from nearly anywhere in the UK. The plane will also be able to carry its payload from the Shetland Islands in Scotland.
Once it lifts off, the plane will release its Launcher 1 from its underside over the Atlantic Ocean. The first stage of the rocket will start with its first burn which will take the satellite into ‘parking orbit‘ around the earth.
The second stage of the rockets will then ignite to send the satellite into its correct orbit.
Its first flight, named ‘Start Me Up‘ is scheduled for November. This will be a joint mission between the British and the Americans. And the first mission is named after a famous Rolling Stones song. It is a tribute to one of the greatest British bands of all time.
Furthermore, the plane will be used to see satellites like Prometheus-2, ForgeStar-0 and Dover being flown from Britain.
It is truly the start of the British’s influence on space programs.
Higher, further, faster!
This new program will be advantageous for the UK in so many ways. The UK will not have to worry about sending their satellites to be deployed from somewhere else. Furthermore, it will now be able to deploy these satellites faster and from more places.
While these spaceports in Cornwall and around the UK will not compare to Cape Canaveral (Florida), they will still be invaluable to the UK. In the first instance, the spaceports will be useful for jobs that young people desperately need, especially around the Scottish Highlands.
The space ports will be an opportunity for the young people of communities around Britain to stay in their hometowns, by providing jobs for skilled, educated younger people. And it will provide a much-needed boost to an ageing community.
Moreover, the transformed Boeing 747 will not only carry British payloads. It will also be able to carry payloads from other worldwide customers. All in all, it is shaping up to be a great opportunity for Britain as a new space power.