Ready for lift-off: first space launch from British soil poised to make history

In a boost to a fledgling industry, UK-built mini-satellites will soon be able to begin their journey into orbit on home ground

In a few weeks, Britain will become a space power. A Virgin Orbit jumbo jet will take off from an airport in Cornwall, carrying a rocket strapped below one wing. As the plane flies 35,000ft above the Atlantic, it will drop its cargo, the rocket engine will be ignited, and a payload of small satellites will be hurled into Earth orbit.

The LauncherOne mission - scheduled for mid-November - is intended to be the first of many launches from centres around the UK.