- Cardiff-based Space Forge secure slot on first launch from UK
soil with Virgin Orbit
- Space Forge have developed a fully returnable and reusable
satellite platform to enable in-space manufacturing
- This mission, launched from Spaceport Cornwall this summer,
will test new return capability
Leading launch company Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) and European
in-space manufacturing tech start-up Space Forge announce today an
agreement to launch the first satellite developed in Wales in
summer 2022.
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the full release here:
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Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart, Space Forge
CEO Joshua Western and CTO Andrew Bacon sign launch agreement in
Long Beach, California (Photo: Business Wire)
In a historic moment for UK space, the satellite will be
launched as part of a broader joint UK-US mission to open the
country’s first domestic space port in summer 2022 out of Spaceport
Cornwall in Newquay, Cornwall.
With shared values of democratising space and pioneering
responsive and responsible launch technologies, the synergy between
Virgin Orbit and Cardiff-based Space Forge’s ethos makes this the
ideal marriage for initial launch from the UK. This, coupled with
Spaceport Cornwall’s ambitions to become a world leader in
responsible launch will offer a real-world example of a global
shift in environmental space practice - from sustainable on the
ground operations, to horizontal lower impact launch technologies,
to in-orbit services minimising the environmental impacts of
manufacturing.
Space Forge is on a mission to make space work for humanity -
seeking to harness the power of microgravity, offering an on demand
service to advance the expansion of the market for premium research
and development applications.
Space Forge recently announced that, along with partners, it is
developing a world-first service incorporating both launch and
return of a new small class of vehicle - the ForgeStar - that can
be deployed from conventional launchers to provide rapid, reliable
and reusable in-space infrastructure. This inaugural mission will
see Space Forge’s ForgeStar-0 platform launched for the first time
and will test future return from space technology.
Aiming to unlock the next steps on the path to market expansion,
dedicated in-space manufacturing, coupled with proof of reliable
return, will allow Space Forge to leverage the benefits of the
space environment, namely: microgravity, vacuum, and temperature,
to create products impossible to manufacture on Earth.
Their focus is on producing materials and products which offer
game-changing levels of performance and efficiency in power hungry
infrastructure and systems - reducing the environmental impact of
production on earth to unlock new value and innovation. Research
suggests that manufacturing certain materials in space could reduce
CO2 emissions by 75% – the equivalent to removing all petrol cars
from the UK.
“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,” said Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart.
“Their commitment to sustainability builds a foundation for future
growth in the industry that we at Virgin Orbit are proud to be part
of.”
Joshua Western, CEO, Space Forge: “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.”
Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall: “Launch from
Cornwall is the chance to set the bar for the global space
industry. Leading with companies like Space Forge, who are
innovating in the responsible use of space, is key to this next
iteration of space exploration.
It's amazing to see our partners Virgin Orbit select customers
who share our ambitions in this area and we can’t wait to show the
world how this can be done.”
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency: “The UK is set
to become the first nation in Europe to offer small satellite
launch, as we become one of the most attractive space economies in
the world.
“Space Forge is an innovative, fast-growing company and their
agreement with Virgin Orbit demonstrates how all regions of the UK
are playing a key role in our ambition to create a thriving small
satellite launch market. In-space manufacturing harnesses the
benefits of the space environment to create materials far superior
to those we can produce on Earth, which can be used to speed up
electric car charging or improve the lifetime of aircraft
engines.
“This is a huge moment for Space Forge to be part of the first
satellite launch from the UK and I wish them all the best, along
with Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit.”
About Space Forge
Space Forge Ltd is a UK start-up on a mission to lead the clean
industrial revolution by harnessing space. The company is
developing fully returnable satellites that are designed for
manufacturing next generation super materials in-space. In creating
a reliable return, Space Forge will advance the expansion of the
microgravity market for premium research and development
applications by lowering the barriers to entry. The company is
focused on R&D initiatives where dedicated return from the
space environment can add a significant benefit, or overcome
obstacles found terrestrially, to unlock new value and
innovation.
Website: https://www.spaceforge.com/
Instagram: @space_forge
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-forge-ltd/
Twitter: @space_forge
About Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit (Nasdaq: VORB) operates one of the most flexible
and responsive space launch systems ever built. Founded by Sir
Richard Branson in 2017, the company began commercial service in
2021, and has already delivered commercial, civil, national
security, and international satellites into orbit. Virgin Orbit’s
LauncherOne rockets are designed and manufactured in Long Beach,
California, and are air-launched from a modified 747- 400 carrier
aircraft that allows Virgin Orbit to operate from locations all
over the world in order to best serve each customer’s needs. Learn
more at www.virginorbit.com and visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter
@virginorbit, and on Instagram @virgin.orbit.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words
“believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,”
“strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,”
“will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,”
and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are
predictions, projections and other statements about future events
that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a
result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could
cause actual future events to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements in this press release. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are
cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
and Virgin Orbit assumes no obligation and does not intend to
update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Virgin
Orbit gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
About Spaceport Cornwall
For video and media content: www.spaceportcornwall.com/media
Spaceport Cornwall is the horizontal space launch site at
Cornwall Airport Newquay, in South West England. Spaceport Cornwall
is a partnership between Cornwall Council, commercial launch
operator Virgin Orbit and Goonhilly Earth Station. The consortium
will deliver small satellite launch into lower Earth Orbit, for the
first time ever from the UK by 2022. The project is funded by the
UK Space Agency, Cornwall Council, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Local Enterprise Partnership and Virgin Orbit.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220309005587/en/
USA: Alison Patch, Senior Director of Communications +1 (949)
616-2504 Alison.Patch@Virginorbit.com Press@virginorbit.com UK/
Europe: Georgia Jaggs, Head of Campaigns, Halo PR &
Communications +44 7594358041 georgia.jaggs@ha-lo.co
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