First UK Satellite Launch Falls Short of Target

The first attempt at launching satellites from British soil fell short of its target orbit late on Monday, January 9, the operating company, Virgin Orbit, said.

Footage recorded by @cornwall_airport shows Cosmic Girl, a modified Boeing 747, taking off from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay.

Virgin Orbit said in a press release on Tuesday that Cosmic Girl had successfully released the rocket it was carrying.

“The rocket then ignited its engines, quickly going hypersonic and successfully reaching space. The flight then continued through successful stage separation and ignition of the second stage. However, at some point during the firing of the rocket’s second stage engine and with the rocket travelling at a speed of more than 11,000 miles per hour, the system experienced an anomaly, ending the mission prematurely,” Virgin Orbit said.

The launch from Cornwall is one of five LauncherOne missions and the only one to fall short of delivering its payload, the company added. Credit: @cornwall_airport via Storyful

Video transcript

[MUSIC - THE ROLLING STONES, "START ME UP"]

[CHEERING]

If you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, if you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, if you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, I'll never stop.

If you start me up, if you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, if you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, I'll never stop. If you start me up, if you start me up, I'll never stop.