Britain has a small but growing space industry. Since 2012, the number of space related organizations has increased by an average of 21% a year, but it lacks a key part - launch. For a long time, there has been no space launch from Britain, but this situation is about to change.
The UK has announced prometheus-2, a mission of its Ministry of defense, which will launch two cube satellites from Newfoundland's Cornwall space port this summer. According to the press release, these satellites will be used to test GPS and imaging instruments, which will allow a more cooperative and connected space communication system with British allies.
It is reported that the British Ministry of defense has selected virgin orbit as the launch system for the prometheus-2 mission. Virgin orbit belongs to Richard Branson's Virgin Group and is a sister company of virgin galaxy, a space tourism operator. This will mark the first overseas launch of the long beach space company, which has successfully launched three orbital missions from Mojave airport in California.
It is understood that the horizontal launch system of virgin orbit will launch its launcherone rocket from the belly of a modified Boeing 747 aircraft named cosmic girl.
The British government hopes prometheus-2 will usher in a new space age for the country. Ian Annett, deputy chief executive of the British space agency, said in a press release: "these satellites demonstrate the advantages of the UK in designing and building satellites. Being able to launch for the first time from all over the UK and Europe will further promote our satellite industry and create high-tech jobs across the country. In addition, they will achieve a key goal of the national space strategy."