Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/ NEWQUAY, UK: The first-ever satellite mission launched from UK soil has ended in failure after an “anomaly” was reported to have prevented the rocket from reaching orbit.
A modified Boeing 747 aircraft operated by the American Virgin Orbit company carried a rocket out of the coastal town of Newquay in southwest England to release it high over the Atlantic Ocean.
The aircraft took off at 22:02 GMT on Monday, with the rocket detaching of the plane and igniting over the Atlantic Ocean at a height of 10,670 metres (35,000 feet) about an hour and 20 minutes later.
Satellites could not be released after rocket suffered an anomaly
The rocket ignited and seemed to be ascending correctly but the company said later that it had suffered an “anomaly”. Consequently, the satellites aboard the rocket could not be released and were lost.
The company said Cosmic Girl, the carrier 747 jet returned safely to base following the mission.
The Virgin Orbit system is relatively new and has only been operational since 2020. More than 2,000 space fans had gathered to cheer when the jumbo jet took off from the runway in Newquay.
