Upcoming UK Orbital Launch

[EGDR]

I don't know when the licence applications for the launch operator and satellites were submitted, but in the case of the Spaceport licence, the application was submitted around October/November last year with the CAA stating that the application process would take between 6 and 12 months. The process ended up taking almost 13 months. I don't think it's fair to blame the Spaceport, Virgin Orbit etc for expecting the licence applications to be completed within the timeframe the CAA had given, especially not with the CAA otherwise singing the praises of the UK's space industry.

It's also fair that they wanted to get this over and done with during 2022 as they've been targeting for a while following the year-long delay imposed by the pandemic. Virgin Orbit are also running into timetable issues with two missions for the US Air Force scheduled from Mojave already having had to be moved into 2023, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a further delay for those launches.

[moonstone_laura]

CAA issues Virgin Orbit licences ahead of launch:

RNS Number : 3913K
Civil Aviation Authority
21 December 2022

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued the final remaining licences to Virgin Orbit ahead of a planned UK launch after requirements were met within 15 months.

The licences were issued following consent from Transport Secretary Mark Harper for Virgin Orbit's launch and range licence, meaning he is in agreement with the licensing decisions made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Virgin Orbit met the licensing requirements having demonstrated to the UK Civil Aviation Authority it has taken all reasonable steps to ensure safety risks arising from launch activities are as low as reasonably practicable. Virgin Orbit also met other appropriate security and environmental aspects required for launch.

Virgin Orbit also received its range control licence from the space regulator, which enables the company to issue warning notices to keep people out of hazardous areas and monitor the progress of the rocket.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority granted the licences within 15 months, well within the expected timescales for these types of licences, putting the UK's regulatory framework on a competitive footing with other international space regulators.

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/new ... h/15767069

[TonyO]

Seems the missile is ready for launch...

UK’s first mission partners announce the official opening of the Start Me Up launch window for January 9, 2023.

Partners for the United Kingdom’s first orbital launch announced today that the initial window for the historic Start Me Up mission will officially open on Monday, 9 January at 22:16 UTC with additional back-up dates continuing into mid and late January. Start Me Up is a collaborative effort between the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA), Cornwall Council, the Royal Air Force, and Virgin Orbit.

The Start Me Up mission will carry satellites from seven customers to space, including commercial and government payloads from several nations and a collaborative US-UK mission.

The LauncherOne system that will conduct the mission is now mated to its carrier aircraft, a Boeing 747 dubbed Cosmic Girl, at Spaceport Cornwall. Yesterday morning, Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne system successfully completed an end-to-end launch rehearsal, taking the integrated system through to the loading of propellants and proceeding through terminal count, resulting in the verification of the health of the system and readiness of the team. 

Given the number of “firsts” being executed for this launch – the first orbital launch from UK soil or from anywhere in western Europe – Virgin Orbit and its partners will maintain a conservative posture with regard to system health, weather, and all other elements of scheduling.

From https://virginorbit.com/the-latest/virg ... -k-launch/

[zero_gravity]

Latest data from Inmarsat downlink....


NAVAREA II 008/23
CHARCOT - JOSEPHINE.
1. ROCKET LAUNCHING. FALLOUT HAZARD MAY EXIST FROM 092216 UTC
TO 100016 UTC JAN 23 AND FROM 182216 UTC TO 190016 UTC JAN 23
IN AREA BOUNDED BY:
40-59.4N 015-41.1W
40-34.6N 013-05.7W
36-46.6N 014-11.0W
37-10.3N 016-30.5W.
2. CONTACT COLLIN COREY RANGE CONTROL AT +1 562 706 3647
OR TELEPHONE AT +1 661 754 4371 FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 190116 UTC JAN 23. NAVAREA II 008/23
S MSG 190116 UTC JAN 23.

[zero_gravity]

The initial launch zone







NAVAREA I 001/23
WESTERN APPROACHES TO UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND.
Approaches to the Celtic Sea. Chart GB 2 (INT 160).
1. Hazardous operations, rocket launching; from 092216 UTC to 100016 UTC Jan and from 182216 UTC to 190016 UTC Jan within area bounded by 51-29N 011-06W, 51-24N 010-34W, 50-45N 010-48W, 50-17N 010-43W, 49-09N 011-07W, 49-17N 012-01W, 50-24N 011-42W and 50-49N 011-20W.
2. In an emergency, to stop launches contact Collin Corey Range Control at +1 562 706 3647 or telephone +1 661 754 4371 for further details.
3. Cancel this message 190116 UTC Jan 23.

[zero_gravity]

Anyone got eyes on the airfield please ?

On previous missions from California a chase plane has been used and I wonder if there is anything on the apron at Newquay other than Cosmic Girl ?

Thanks

ZG

[EGDR]

I don't believe there is a chase plane. The previous launch, also at night, did not appear to have one.

[zero_gravity]

I don't believe there is a chase plane. The previous launch, also at night, did not appear to have one.

Thanks for that . Surprised they are not going to use a camera ship , given the occassion.

ZG

[100arw]

Live launch coverage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co18HcyqHk
P

[slogen51]

12:13 N744VG is active at Newquay according FR24

[zero_gravity]

Yes , ground systems and avionics tests.
The aircraft was active yesterday too for a number of hours.

[timb]

Sky News have got live coverage

[TonyO]

Or just look at the live feed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co18HcyqHk

[slogen51]

N744VG plotting on FR24 westbound south of Cork FL300

Expected drop time 22:24 plus 44 minutes

[Yammer]

at 22.24 passed to Shannon 135.230

[Valkyrie]

Radar Service Terminated 22:43 for Cosmic Girl 01

[BOLLO]

22.46 COSMIC GIRL 01 looking for a 23.09 launch time and in the operational area at this time

https://www.liveatc.net/hlisten.php?mou ... &icao=einn

[TonyO]

Cosmic Girl now in the racetrack pattern.

[slogen51]

Apparently you should see the rocket in the night sky from as far as Norfolk if you aren't behind a hill or buildings etc

Low against the horizon

[davedubya]

Not the best launch coverage, but an achievement nonetheless.