The United Kingdom was excited about its first orbital launch Monday. Unfortunately, the mission was a failure.
UK's First Orbital Launch Failed
The British people were excited about Monday's first-ever orbital space launch in their country. However, the rocket encountered a problem preventing it from reaching orbit, Daily Mail reported.
Virgin Orbit founder Richard Branson announced after the launch that it succeeded in its goal of sending satellites to space via the company's 70ft-long LauncherOne rocket.
However, 40 minutes later, the company walked down on its announcement, saying there was an "anomaly." The tweet about reaching the orbit has also since been deleted, Daily Mail reported.
The rocket accelerated to 8,000 mph toward space before breaking through the Earth's atmosphere. But it soon became apparent that something had gone wrong.
Virgin Orbit did not get into the details and only said it was "evaluating the information."
The launch was intended to signify the UK's entry into the space race more than 70 years after the British Space Programme was founded in 1952.
Virgin Orbit Released A Statement About The Failed Mission
A day after the space mission failed, Virgin Orbit released a statement. The company acknowledged that it had a successful take-off from the runway at Spaceport Cornwall.
After starting its engines, the rocket immediately accelerated and successfully reached space. After a successful stage separation and second-stage activation, the flight resumed.
However, when the rocket's second-stage engine was being fired while traveling at a speed of over 11,000 miles per hour, the system experienced an anomaly that terminated the mission prematurely.
Despite the mission's failure to reach its final orbit, it still made some accomplishments by achieving multiple noteworthy firsts. The mission proved that space launches from the UK are feasible.
It also brings new partnerships and integrates collaboration from various partners, including the Royal Air Force, the Civil Aviation Authority, the US Federal Aviation Administration, the National Reconnaissance Office, and more.
It was the first in five LauncherOne missions carrying payloads for private companies and governmental agencies that failed in delivering its payloads to its target orbit.
The Team Remains Optimistic Following The Failed Mission
The team behind the mission is all hopeful that they will be able to make it next time. Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit CEO, said they were proud of what they accomplished as part of the mission and were aware of their failure to deliver to their customers the launch service they deserved.
He added that they would work tirelessly to understand the real issue behind the technical failure that prevented the rocket from reaching the final orbit. Hard said they would return to orbit after a complete investigation and mission assurance process.
Matt Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, was also optimistic despite the failed mission because it showed them that the UK could launch rockets into orbit. He said they remain committed to their mission to be the leading provider of commercial small satellite launches in Europe in seven years. He added that they have plans for vertical launches in Scotland.
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