Disappointing end to UK space mission as satellites fail to reach orbit

Boeing 747 used in mission from Cornwall successfully released rocket before anomaly' was reported

• UK space chiefs plan to try again after rocket launch ends in failure

A historic space mission that took off from Cornwall has ended in bitter disappointment after a rocket carrying the first satellites launched from British soil failed to reach orbit and was lost.

To whoops and cheers from a crowd that had gathered at Spaceport Cornwall to watch the launch, a converted Boeing 747 called Cosmic Girl took off on Monday night and headed out across the Atlantic.