The UK space regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has given its go ahead to Virgin Orbit to carry out space launches from Spaceport Cornwall. This will represent the first satellite launch from European soil.
Specifically, it has issued launch and range licences to Virgin Orbit to undertake launch activities from the UK. Public safety, the environment and international obligations were among the statutory tests Virgin Orbit had to satisfy to secure licences, says the CAA. The launch has already been pushed back to the early part of 2023. Possibly anticipating criticism that the process had taken too long – it was widely expected to launch before the end of 2022 – the authority highlighted that the licences had been issued within 15 months. It says this puts the UK framework on a competitive footing with international space regulators. It had previously issued the UK’s first spaceport licence to Spaceport Cornwall in November.
“This is another major milestone in enabling the very first orbital space launch from UK shores and these licences will assist Virgin Orbit with their final preparations for launch,” said the Director for Space Regulation at the CAA, Tim Johnson.
“Effective licensing forms an integral part of UK space activity, and with public safety at the heart of our decision making, we’ve worked with Virgin Orbit to assess their applications and issue licences within our expected timelines.”
Delay
Back in December defeat had been admitted for a 2022 launch. At the time it surfaced that technical issues had also arisen as well as licensing issues.
The Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket is air-launched from Cosmic Girl – a modified 747-400 carrier aircraft – at a suitable altitude over a body of water. Such a ‘horizontal’ launch means aircraft can also use existing airport infrastructure, such as is the case with Newquay.
Virgin Orbit
For its part, Virgin Orbit welcomed the news. The company’s CEO, Dan Hart, said:
“Receiving Virgin Orbit’s range and launch licences takes us one step closer to the first satellite launch take-off from UK soil. This is a major milestone for the CAA and represents the successful completion of an enormous effort, which has included the construction of new regulations, new processes and new teams.”
“With our partners at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Spaceport Cornwall, UK Space Agency and our payload customers, together we are progressing towards the first launch from Cornwall – keeping a strong focus on a safe and successful mission for all.”
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