Date of first-ever UK space launch confirmed as Virgin Orbit rocket prepares for blast-off

According to Virgin Orbit, the 33 satellites already deployed via LauncherONe were all successfully carried to the precise, desired orbit — while demonstrating in the process the ability to fly through (and blast-off above) inclement weather.

The aerospace firm has said that the flight manifest for the upcoming Start Me Up mission is completely full.

Among the payload are the two shoebox-sized satellites — known as ‘CubeSats’, after their shape — that will make up the Ministry of Defense (MOD)’s Defense Science Technology Laboratory’s Prometheus-2 mission.

According to the UK Space Agency, the pair of CubeSats “will provide a test platform for monitoring radio signals including GPS and sophisticated imaging, paving the way for a more collaborative and connected space communication system with our allies.”

Joining the Prometheus-2 craft onboard LauncherOne will also be “DOVER”, a pathfinder satellite for resilient global navigation satellite systems; “ForgeStar-o”, an in-space manufacturing facility designed to return to Earth for re-use; and “AMAN”, a single Earth-observation satellite that represents the first orbital mission for the Sultanate of Oman.

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1717743/virgin-orbit-date-uk-rocket-launch-science-news-space-cornwall-January-9-cosmic-girl