MP for Ross (Hereford and South Herefordshire) Jesse Norman has said that it’s “fantastic” to see the UK conduct its first ever big space launch.

Mr Norman said: “Fantastic to see the UK take another big step to a first ever launch, with Virgin Orbit receiving the green light to take off from Spaceport Cornwall. Great for our thriving UK space industry, and for the wider British economy.”

UK Civil Aviation Authority issues launch and range licences to Virgin Orbit to undertake launch activities from the UK.

Public safety, the environment and international obligations among statutory tests Virgin Orbit had to satisfy to secure licences.

Plans are in place to put the UK on a competitive footing with international space regulators. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued the final remaining licences to Virgin Orbit ahead of the UK launch.

The licences were issued following consent from Transport Secretary Mark Harper for Virgin Orbit’s launch and range licence, meaning he is in agreement with the licensing decisions made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Transport secretary Mark Harper, said: “We are one step closer to opening the UK’s galactic gateway, with Virgin Orbit receiving an historic first licence to allow the UK’s first ever spaceflight launch. The planned launch reinforces our position as a leading space nation as we look to the future of spaceflight, which can spur growth and innovation across the sector.”