spacetoday.net: Virgin Orbit receives license for first UK launch

Virgin Orbit receives license for first UK launch

Posted: Sat, Dec 24, 2022, 11:08 AM ET (1608 GMT)
Virgin Orbit has received a license for its first launch from the United Kingdom. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said Wednesday it issued launch and range licenses to the company for the "Start Me Up" mission flying out of Spaceport Cornwall in England. It's the first launch license issued for a launch from the UK. The mission, which Virgin Orbit has previously planned to take place before the end of the year, is now likely to occur in January. Virgin Orbit separately disclosed Tuesday that it raised $20 million from an investment arm of the Virgin Group. The funding will be used as working capital by the company.