The United Kingdom expects to launch its first space rocket this Monday, which would mark a historic day for Europe as well, as it becomes one of the few countries capable of launching rockets into orbit.
Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One rocket is expected to make its first flight from British soil before 22.00 local time (23.00 Spanish peninsular time).
This launch has created expectation in the country, as thousands of people are expected to travel to Cornwall, in the southwest of England, to witness the moment.
Currently, only a dozen countries have the capacity to launch into orbit from their own territory: the United States, Russia, India, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Iran and French Guiana for the European Space Agency.
The deputy director of the British Space Agency, Ian Annet, who said he was «immensely excited», considered that, if this flight is successful, it would be «a new era for space».
«This will lead to new careers, improve productivity and inspire the next generation of space professionals, and this is just the beginning,» he explained in statements reported by the newspaper ‘The Telegraph’.
For his part, Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart added that the launch will only take place if conditions are perfect.
«If there are winds, precipitation or lightning in the area, we will look very closely. We’re going to proceed very cautiously,» he said.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
