British Spaceport in Cornwall to launch its first satellites next week from specialy equipped 747

AMKC

They will be launched from a special 747 that will launch from Cornwall Spaceport with the satellites attached in rockets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64179472.amp

Also a new Spaceport in the Northern most part of the UK will launch an actual Rocket next year sometime.

All getting very interesting.

AMKC

So the launch from Space Port Cornwall is scheduled for after 10pm this evening.

It will be the first orbital launch from anywhere in the UK or Western Europe.

emo72

Anything visual from Ireland?

jimbis

Rte news quoted that it'll be visible from Ireland (cork & Kerry) for 60 seconds after launch, it'll be heading south so then viewable in France and spain.

Weather isn't looking to be on our side though.

mossie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120086394#Comment_120086394

Typical the weather will get in the way.

namloc1980

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120085291#Comment_120085291

Yes if it was clear but as ever the weather won't behave.

AMKC

Well that all went well so far. Watched it take off on Sky News.

As for seeing the rocket. If you do not see it this time there is always next time as unlike vertical rockets the turnaround on this is much quicker.

So of not in the next few months definitely in the spring or Summer you should hopefully see something.

touts

Surprisingly interesting to watch it tonight. Just a plane taking off but very significant. You have to think Shannon would be ideally placed right on the Atlantic for future launches.

One thing that did strike me. Could you imagine the absolute shitstorm that would be GB-News etc tonight if this was a European rocket taking off from Cork and launching 60 miles off the coast of Cornwall tonight. They would be demanding the RAF shoot it down. Here we're just disappointed the cloud cover means we can't see the show.

Chris_5339762

As usual when it comes to any event involving the sky in any way, the weather is cloudy and miserable. Likely won't see a thing.

mossie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120087995#Comment_120087995

Doesn't look likely we will given the forecast. Hoping for a break in the cloud but that would be a miracle.

Following the plane on flightradar anyway

ujjjjjjjjj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120087972#Comment_120087972

No they wouldn't, they are launching it over international waters. For one moment it would be lovely if the usual Brit bashing was not dragged into everything.

Storm 10

Sad news there saying it has failed to get to orbit to launch the Satellites and there is nothing they can do to resolve it

Savetheplanet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120088086#Comment_120088086

So why were Irish fishing vessels told not to fish off the Cork and Kerry coast so? https://www.independent.ie/news/fishermen-furious-as-satellite-carrying-rocket-set-to-launch-off-irelands-south-west-coast-tonight-42272256.html

ujjjjjjjjj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120088369#Comment_120088369

Because they fish in the international waters where the rocket launch took place. All maritime craft in that area along with other aircraft in the area were warned of a low risk of debris falling if there was a problem during launch. Your comment is a classic chip on the shoulder, the Brits are out to get us load of nonsense.

Would you have preferred if they just launched it without telling anyone ? Note no one was banning Irish fishing boats from doing anything.

Personally delighted to see the British Government and British Private industry investing in space launch capability. European space program is in trouble with Ariane failures recently and developing other options in Europe is great for Britain and Europe and yes even little old Ireland. Europe needs launch capability.

Pity they had technical issues but I am sure they will get it sorted for the next one and I welcome more launches from wherever technically it makes sense even if it means upsetting the chip on the shoulder brigade in Ireland.

AMKC

A pity it did not go 100 per cent perfect. Hopefully the next attempt will do better. You would have to wonder though do the satellite companies have insurance on there satellites for this or do Virgin Orbit have insurance for something like this?

snowstreams

Since the first stage worked quite well and it didnt start to have "an anomaly" until the second stage, then it likely came down into the ocean near the Canary islands but no where near the Irish fisherman off the cork/kerry coast.

Savetheplanet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120088613#Comment_120088613

Chip on the shoulder brigade, no point arguing with a royal subject I guess.

Cookiemunster

Virgin Orbit has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65172594