It was the first rocket launched into space from European soil. A jumbo jet with a space rocket attached under the wing took off from the UK late Monday. The first phase, which started in Cornwall, was successful. Then disappointment. The rocket did not enter Earth orbit to dock satellites as planned.
At an altitude of about 10.7 kilometers over the Atlantic Ocean, the converted Boeing 747 aircraft would send the launch vehicle into space. US space company Virgin Orbit, owned by British entrepreneur Richard Branson (72), said briefly: “We are evaluating information.” The company mentioned an “anomaly” that prevented the rocket from reaching Earth orbit as planned.
Rocket launch should be a victory for the British. Britain, which has been planned for many years, can now call itself the first European country to launch rockets into space from its own soil.
space junk?
“We’ve won the space race in Europe,” British Science Secretary George Freeman, 55, congratulated himself – ahead of his time.
There is valuable cargo on board: nine small satellites for civil and military use. . Initially, it was unclear whether the mission could still be salvaged or whether Europe’s first rocket would henceforth orbit the earth as space junk.
The Boeing 747 carrier aircraft, dubbed “Cosmic Girl”, returned safely to Cornwall with the crew. (cut)