• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • NEWS:
  • SatNews
  • SatMagazine
  • MilSatMagazine
  • SmallSat News
  • |     EVENTS:
  • SmallSat Symposium
  • Satellite Innovation
  • MilSat Symposium

SatNews

  • HOME
  • Magazines
  • Events
  • Perspectives
  • Industry Calendar
    • IN PERSON
    • VIRTUAL
  • Subscribe

National Reconnaissance Officer Is Partnering With The UK’s MOD For The 1st Commercial Rocket Launch From The UK Via Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One

May 11, 2022

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is partnering with the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) on the historic, first commercial rocket to be launched from the UK, as announced at Defence Space 2022 by Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin.

Virgin Orbit will send nine, multinational rideshares to orbit using the LauncherOne small launch platform and a modified Boeing 747 aircraft later in 2022.

This mission—launching UK MOD Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s two Prometheus 2 smallsats—is the latest example of increased UK and international space cooperation. This be the first launch from British soil and will also be the first commercial launch from Western Europe. Launching from the UK marks a continued expansion of NRO’s overseas launch locations in addition to New Zealand providing NRO with the ability to launch from three continents.

LauncherOne expands NRO’s innovative launch capabilities as the agency’s first, horizontal launch. A modified Boeing 747 aircraft, Cosmic Girl, with the LauncherOne rocket will take off from Spaceport Cornwall located at Newquay Airport in Cornwall, England. Additional information on launch timing will be made available from the UK Space Agency and UK Civil Aviation Authority.

“Since its inception more than 60 years ago, NRO has been pushing the boundaries – finding ever-more innovative ways to leverage space in order to secure and expand our intelligence advantage, and protect and defend the United States and our allies,” said NRO Director, Dr. Chris Scolese. “It’s an honor to join the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence in announcing this historic enterprise. We look forward to this remarkable achievement as the foundation of an even stronger collaboration between our nations.”

“This is a great example of the power of international collaboration – a key tenet of our Defence Space Strategy,” said UK MOD Director Space, Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth.”

Filed Under: Agencies, Launch, Launch Systems, Launch Vehicle, LauncherOne, Military, MoD, NRO, Spaceport Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK), USA Tagged With: Featured

Primary Sidebar

Most Read Stories

  • Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Enlists NanoAvionics For Three Surveillance Satellites
  • Satellite Laser Communication System Projected To Grow To Million$$$$ By 2030
  • ESA Contracts Airbus For Further Development Of The Agency's LISA Mission
  • Rivada Space Networks Works Toward The Launch Of Their LEO Constellation
  • Miratlas Secures Million$€ In Seed Funding

About Satnews

  • Contacts
  • History

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020

Secondary Sidebar

x
Sign up Now (For Free)
Access daily or weekly satellite news updates covering all aspects of the commercial and military satellite industry.
Invalid email address
Notify Me Regarding ( At least one ):
We value your privacy and will not sell or share your email or other information with any other company. You may also unsubscribe at anytime.

Click Here to see our full privacy policy.
Thanks for subscribing!