The first ever satellite mission launched from UK soil has ended in failure.

A jumbo jet operated by the American Virgin Orbit company carried a rocket out of Newquay, Cornwall, to release it high over the Atlantic Ocean.

The rocket ignited and appeared to be ascending correctly. But word then came from the company that the rocket had suffered an “anomaly”.

The satellites it was carrying could not be released and were lost.

Cosmic Girl, the carrier 747 jet, returned safely to base.

As it happened: UK space mission suffers rocket 'anomaly'

Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, Ian Annett said it shows “how difficult” getting into orbit actually is - but predicted further launches within the next 12 months.

“We get up, we go back, we try again, that's what defines us,” he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Matt Archer, the agency's launch programme director said the issue occurred in the upper segment of the rocket.

“The second-stage engine had a technical anomaly and didn't reach the required orbit,” he explained.

“That's now part of an investigation by Virgin Orbit and a number of government departments,” he told BBC News.

Mr. Archer could not confirm whether the rocket had fallen back to Earth but said that if it did, it would have come down over unpopulated areas.

The satellites were insured so their manufacturers and operators will be compensated.

The Virgin Orbit system is relatively new. It's only been in operation since 2020.

It suffered a failure on its maiden outing but this was followed up by four successful flights.

Dan Hart, the CEO of Virgin Orbit, said: “We are mindful that we failed to provide our customers with the launch service they deserve. The first-time nature of this mission added layers of complexity that our team professionally managed through; however, in the end a technical failure appears to have prevented us from delivering the final orbit.

“We will work tirelessly to understand the nature of the failure, make corrective actions, and return to orbit as soon as we have completed a full investigation and mission assurance process.” (BBC)

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