A satellite has never been launched into orbit from the UK before, but this summer Virgin Orbit will launch two MoD satellites from Newquay.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-uk-satellite-launch-in-summer-2022
The interesting thing about this is that the satellites will actually be inserted into orbit on a rocket fired from an aircraft - a bit like an air-air missile, except in this case the aircraft is a repurposed Virgin passenger 747.
They should keep a few of the seats and sell tickets, it must be a spectacular sight.
But.. but... but surely we shouldn't have been capable of such things after leaving the EU?
So the summer's over, but the 747 ('Cosmic Girl') has arrived in Cornwall ready to launch a string of satellites next month.
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/what-richard-bransons-cosmic-girl-7698403
Looking forward to seeing video of the first UK space launch.
So: this didn't happen in November either, but -
(https://i.ibb.co/cc6vj6p/cornwallitson.png)
https://twitter.com/spacecornwall
Is there a pasty onboard?
I somehow caught a bit of that god-awful program 'Good Morning Britain' on ITV earlier today. The dumb weather woman was convinced that the 747 itself would break up and fall to Earth. Unbelievable.
Live stream coverage here: the 747 is due to take off in about 50 minutes (as I type).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0qH8dLrNOc
Well, the coverage was pretty underwhelming. But as far as I can tell the launch has been a success, so far. The rocket's doing what it's supposed to, but the satellites aren't deployed yet.
It failed apparently....
"Phut!"
:D
A noble failure, apparently.
Musk's early forays into this business resulted in quite spectacular failures - but it's accepted as part of the process.
Yes, very disappointing but all part of the game. Can't imagine the expense though. But at least no-one died.
Poor old Branson, his name is synonymous with cosmic failures ;D
I was working for Morgan Stanley in our office in New York in 1998 when one of my colleagues, an Australian ex-pat called Steve who had a desk next to the window, glanced outside and noticed a tank flying the Union Jack rolling along Seventh Avenue, a few floors below.
He called me over and I recognised Richard Branson poking out of the turret and waving to onlookers. "I thought you blokes were trying to get the colonies back for a minute", Steve said.
Just found this pic of that occasion. Judging by the location I would have been no more than 200m away, 8 floors up in 750 Seventh Avenue when this was taken. Probably about a minute after I'd seen it myself.
(https://i.ibb.co/W28LPXf/bransontank.jpg)
;D
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-overshadows-sir-richard-145956163.html
Quote from: Slim on January 10, 2023, 12:07:42 PMJust found this pic of that occasion. Judging by the location I would have been no more than 200m away, 8 floors up in 750 Seventh Avenue when this was taken. Probably about a minute after I'd seen it myself.
Using Street View, and going by the orientation of the camera position to the Novotel in the distance on the left, I've worked out that Sir Richard was pretty much bang on outside 750 7th Ave when the photo was taken. The road sign partially obscured by the woman's head is for West 50th Street. I must have been gawping down out of the window at this precise moment.
Quote from: Slim on January 10, 2023, 07:27:23 PMQuote from: Slim on January 10, 2023, 12:07:42 PMJust found this pic of that occasion. Judging by the location I would have been no more than 200m away, 8 floors up in 750 Seventh Avenue when this was taken. Probably about a minute after I'd seen it myself.
Using Street View, and going by the orientation of the camera position to the Novotel in the distance on the left, I've worked out that Sir Richard was pretty much bang on outside 750 7th Ave when the photo was taken. The road sign partially obscured by the woman's head is for West 50th Street. I must have been gawping down out of the window at this precise moment.
I can't believe he's not picking her up and spinning her head over heels, as was his MO with attractive young women back in the day. The toothsome trolley-dolly terroriser must have assaulted dozens of his female
employees over the years..............but, alas, no more:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/richard-branson-stop-turning-girls-upside-down-on-virgin-planes-b1037732.html
I was hoping Scott Manley might release a video about this today; he has.
Speculation that government pressure forced launch with 50/50 chance of success:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1723111/Virgin-Orbit-launch-failure-warning-spaceport-Cornwall-lives-risked
In talks to avoid bankruptcy. Poor old Richard, should have stuck with selling records (doing well at the mo')