Where you can watch Cornwall's first launch into space
Here is how to track the historic take-off from Newquay
People in Cornwall can watch the UK's first space launch from Newquay from home as staff from Spaceport Cornwall, UK Space Agency and Virgin Orbit reveal how the public can track the journey on the day.
At a media-exclusive event held at Spaceport Cornwall, we've been told Virgin Orbit will be setting up a livestream for the public to tune in to at home.
The journey of the flight will also be able to be tracked through flight tracker apps - where people from home can watch the route and see the stages when the rocket has left the aircraft.
There will be a viewing area at Newquay's Spaceport put in place where people can view the launch live on the night.
"We will have an area that public can come and watch"
Melissa Thorpe, Spaceport Cornwall, said: "Can they come up and see it? That's a question we're being asked a lot.
"The launch day itself there will be notifications around the area, what's happening, information sharing with residents and businesses, we're working really closely with them on what that means on launch date".
The team from Goonhilly Earth Station will be on the site supporting the tracking of the launch with a mobile Operations Cabin sitting on the runway at Newquay.
The cabin is a mini (20ft), transportable version of a control area and will accommodate two of our skilled Engineering Operators who will be communicating with staff at Virgin Orbit’s launch centre in LA, providing highly accurate tracking data.
The cabin will be used alongside a small antenna, loaned from company DSTL, to track the rocket onboard Cosmic Girl for the take-off and climb phases until visibility is lost from Newquay.
There is another 5m antenna in Ireland for use by Virgin Orbit to track the rocket when it can no longer be seen from Newquay and for around 6 mins after its launch from the plane.
When will Cornwall see take off?
We don't have a launch date for the first UK launch from the Spaceport in Newquay - but staff from Spaceport Cornwall, UK Space Agency and Virgin Orbit predict licensing agreements will be confirmed and the launch will take place before the end of the year.
A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:
“We are assessing the evidence supporting a range of space industry licence applications to determine if they meet the statutory requirements for granting space licences for UK launch, which include safety, security and the environment.
"We’re committed to helping drive forward a UK space sector and continue to work proactively with all parties. As part of this, it is important we do so with a view to prioritising public safety and be satisfied that steps being taken by operators manage safety risks to as low as reasonably practicable".
The time and date of the UK launch are yet to be confirmed - and it is expected to take place in the night. Further links on how to track the launch will become available closer to the launch date.
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