Western Europe’s first satellite launch mission of Virgin Orbit takes off

• The first mission of Virgin Orbit is partially owned by British billionaire Richard Branson.
• The “Cosmic Girl” aircraft will release at a height of roughly 35,000 feet (10,668 meters).
• Nine satellites will be launched into lower Earth orbit.

On Monday night, the “Cosmic Girl” carrier aircraft from Virgin Orbit launched the first satellite ever to be placed in Western Europe from the spaceport in Newquay, Cornwall, in the southwest of England.

The modified Boeing 747 launched into the air and soared out over the Atlantic Ocean, where it will release a rocket after an hour at a height of roughly 35,000 feet (10,668 meters).

When the plane departed the runway, more than 2,000 space enthusiasts celebrated.

The 20,000-person resort in southwest England, known for its dependable Atlantic waves, has become Western Europe’s preferred location for small satellites as a result of the “horizontal” launch.

Nine satellites will be launched into lower Earth orbit (LEO) by the LauncherOne rocket during Virgin Orbit’s (VORB.O), which is partially owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, first mission outside of its American base.

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