Cornwall space project given licence to launch by regulator

[Rick]

Cornwall space project given licence to launch by regulator

The prospect of a "historic" space flight taking off from Cornwall early in the new year has taken a major step forward after the UK Civil Aviation Authority issued a launch licence for the project.

Virgin Orbit will begin final preparations for the first launch of satellites from UK soil, though no final date for lift-off has been set.

There has been growing frustration within the project that the licensing process has led to the much-anticipated launch being delayed. But on Wednesday the CAA said Virgin Orbit had demonstrated it had taken "all reasonable steps" to ensure the launch was as safe as possible and had met "appropriate security and environmental" requirements.

More: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/dec/21/cornwall-space-project-given-licence-to-launch-by-regulator

[Rick]

To infinity and ... just over the Atlantic
Soul searching in the wake of Virgin Orbit failure

The UK Space Agency has published a "Lessons Learned" report after the failure of the first orbital launch attempt from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay on the south west coast of England.

The report, which does not use the word "failure," describes the mission in which Virgin Orbit's rocket, LauncherOne, was launched from a modified Boeing 747 dubbed Cosmic Girl.

According to the report: "This historic event demonstrated the UK's ability to launch, safely, legally and with the appropriate coordination across government."

Launch, yes. Make it to orbit, no.

More: https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/19/lessons_learned_uk_launch/