This year, for the first time in UK history, it will launch satellites from its own land.

This summer the United Kingdom plans to launch satellites from its territory for the first time in its history. It cites data from the UK Ministry of Defense by TASS News Agency.

Image source: Virgin Orbit

According to available data, it is planned to send a pair of microsatellites into space designed to monitor various objects using radio signals and image sensors. Both devices were developed by the Airbus Defense and Space consortium and are part of the UK Defense Department’s collaboration with international partners such as the British company In-Space Mission Ltd and the US National Military Space Intelligence Office.

It is also known that the launch of satellites is planned as part of the Prometheus-2 mission from Newquay Airport in the south-west of England. For this purpose, the Launcherone launch pad of Virgin Orbit will be used to send satellites into low Earth orbit. The rocket will be launched from the modified Boring 747 aircraft.

“Space technology is important for the development of defense operations, and the launch of Prometheus-2 reflects the next step towards our own space program,” said Jeremy Quinn, British Under Secretary of Defense. Ian Ennett, vice president of the UK Space Agency, said the upcoming mission “shows the power of the country in building satellites.”