Rockets, Rockers, Royals and Adapter Rings. A Week is a Long Time in Space Launch – even without Politics!

Two weeks ago the UKSA spaceflight launch programme was still absent an operational manifestation of its efforts and milestones. Yet within that time the UK now has an Air and Space port in Newquay, with a launch vehicle on the apron, an operational rocket in a recently opened satellite integration facility and six mission payloads being integrated onto the adapter ring, ready to be encapsulated in the rocket fairing. And we have kicked off the operational phase of the UK’s first orbital launch with an event at the Science Museum last weekend where we cut the ribbon on a full size replica rocket that will be touring the UK over the next year bringing inspiration and understanding to young and old and creating the early interest we need for the rapidly expanding space sector here in the UK.

Last week I visited Spaceport Cornwall following the arrival of Cosmic Girl (Virgin Orbit’s converted B747-400) LauncherOne (its rocket) and the associated ground support equipment. With the constant positive buzz of staff who were working with the payload providers to inspect and check the satellites that will be fitted to the adapter ring on the upper stage of the rocket. All in an impressive, cathedral like hangar that has room for at least two 70 ft rockets and a clean room in which Spaceport Cornwall have combined a fantastic technical capability with impressive Cornish art. It is very blue!

 It was also a moment to reflect that none of this would happen without the hard work and dedication from colleagues across government and our commercial partners over many years to get us to this point.  Of course, there is still much work to do over the coming weeks; further testing and rehearsals that need to be undertaken and ensuring that this new capability for the UK can operate safely, guided carefully by our Civil Aviation Authority. But we can now confidently say that the UK is ready for launch and the capability is now in place and the benefits are being realised through jobs in Cornwall, national inspiration and even a Royal visit that created quite a stir for our US colleagues in Virgin!

Gemma Lessinger art installation in the clean room at Spaceport Cornwall

 So what are the benefits and why is Government spending money on launch in the midst of a cost of living crisis? Quite simply, the UK already has a thriving space sector, which is well-established and globally respected. The sector generates £16.5 billion in annual income, with exports counting for around a third (32%) of this total. There are now hundreds of jobs connected to space in Newquay and at Goonhilly Earth Station on the other side of the Cornish peninsula. With 47,000 jobs across the UK that generate over 2.5 times as much productivity as the average in the UK, our growing space industry is a vital part of the economy and launch has an important role to play in catalysing investment, generating growth and prosperity. And bringing relevance, interest and excitement to the next generation who will be our future engineers, programme managers, lawyers, business developers and even artists and philosophers in the space sector.

The UK Space Agency is committed to continue growing this exciting industry and creating the conditions where our own domestic launch capability will bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and organisations right across the UK and support the Government’s aim to grow the economy.  But more than that, the first launch is a statement about how serious the UK is about developing the space sector and using launch to inspire the next generation of space talent. It is not an accident that Virgin Orbit chose to name its first deployed mission as Start Me Up, a classic Rolling Stones song released on the Virgin Label. It certainly lives up to the line of ‘Ride like the wind at double speed’.

 Let’s not forget though, the UK Space Agency already has a proactive education strategy which includes initiatives such as our recent LogoLiftOff competition aimed at Primary aged children as well as our Nanosat competition which tasked those aged 16+ to design a nanosat that can inform solutions to climate change. The Science Museum event where a the 72ft replica of LauncherOne was revealed as part of an exciting STEM themed event.

(Image courtesy of Max Alexander)

The replica rocket was supported by several STEM marquees hosting a range of exciting educational opportunities and displays including the chance to try on a real astronaut suit, handle some moon rock or even try on a VR headset and experience what it’s like to be at Mission Control in Spaceport Cornwall. It’s the first in a series of events and next year the replica will begin a tour of around 12 cities across the UK to ensure we engage with and inspire young people from right across the UK to consider a career in the space sector. This will support Government’s agenda to level up the UK and provide benefits and opportunities to people across the whole country.

It feels very much to me and the wider UK space launch team that the programme is coming together and we are on the cusp of a domestic space launch capability that we can be truly proud of. And this is just the beginning! From next year we’ll also see vertical launches from Scotland, cementing the UK as a world-class space faring nation and delivering benefits to people and communities right across the UK. 

I must admit it may even live up to the Start me Up chorus line of ‘You make a grown man cry’!