Proactive Investors - The first space mission on British soil is due for lift off in the coming weeks after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted launch and range licences to Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:VORB) to undertake launch activities from the UK.
The decision has the backing of transport secretary Mark Harper and comes after Virgin satisfied a range of tests put in place by the CAA.
In a statement, the CAA said entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson's company demonstrated “it has taken all reasonable steps to ensure safety risks arising from launch activities are as low as reasonably practicable”.
Tim Johnson, director for space regulation at the CAA, said: "This is another major milestone in enabling the very first orbital space launch from UK shores and these licences will assist Virgin Orbit with their final preparations for launch.”
Dan Hart, the chief executive of Virgin Orbit, added: “Receiving range and launch licences takes us one step closer to the first satellite launch take-off from UK soil. We are progressing towards the first launch from Cornwall – keeping a strong focus on a safe and successful mission for all.”
Virgin is planning a launch from Spaceport Cornwall at Cornwall Airport Newquay in the coming weeks.