The satellite, which is the first to be developed in Wales, will be launched from Britain’s first domestic spaceport
Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart and Space Forge CEO Joshua Western signing the agreement. (Credit: Virgin)
Virgin Orbit has signed an agreement with Welsh in-space manufacturing tech start-up Space Forge for launching the latter’s satellite into space in summer 2022.
The satellite, which is the first to be developed in Wales, will be launched from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay, England. The launch is part of a larger joint UK-US mission to open Britain’s first domestic spaceport.
Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart said: “We at Virgin Orbit are delighted to have been chosen to move Space Forge forward in their space journey as we look forward to our inaugural Cornwall launch. Space Forge is joining the growing community of space innovators advancing space technologies for the betterment of our world.
“Their commitment to sustainability builds a foundation for future growth in the industry that we at Virgin Orbit are proud to be part of.”
Recently, Space Forge said that it is working with its partners to develop a service which will incorporate the launch as well as the return of a new small class of vehicle called the ForgeStar. The vehicle can be deployed from traditional launchers to offer in-space infrastructure that is rapid, reliable, and reusable.
The maiden mission from Spaceport Cornwall will witness Space Forge’s ForgeStar-0 platform launched for the first time. The platform will be used for evaluating the new return from space technology.
The company is engaged in developing fully returnable satellites which can be used for manufacturing next generation super materials in-space.
Space Forge said that dedicated in-space manufacturing along with proof of reliable return will enable it to make use of the benefits of the space environment for creating products that are otherwise not possible to manufacture on Earth.
Space Forge CEO Joshua Western said: “We’re thrilled to be making UK history with our first launch. We will demonstrate the use of space for good through in-space manufacturing and reliable return and it’s brilliant that both Virgin Orbit and Spaceport Cornwall share our ambitions.
“This is the start of a great collaboration and we are so excited to see where it goes.”
In December 2021, Virgin Orbit closed the previously announced $3.2bn merger deal with NextGen Acquisition Corp. II (NGCA). The merger deal enabled the US-based satellite launch and space solutions provider to go public.