Virgin Orbit was hoping to launch its first-ever space mission on the night of December 14. But the company was forced to delay next week's take-off, according to The Telegraph. The announcement comes just 24 hours after it confirmed that it was going ahead.
According to Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit's chief executive, the United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) refused to give the company an operating license. Thus, it only means that the launch would be delayed again.
However, CAA released its own statement denying Virgin Orbit's claim that the remaining regulatory issues were in part the reason behind the mission's delay, as per TechCrunch.
CAA Director Says UK Space Regulation Process is Not a Barrier to the Space Launch
Tim Johnson, CAA's director for space regulation, said that "the space regulation process in the UK is not a barrier to a UK space launch."
According to Johnson, Virgin Orbit said in its statement that there are some technical issues that the company needs to resolve before the launch.
Moreover, he added that these issues are in no way related to the timing of when a license will be issued by the agency.
Meanwhile, Virgin Orbit's CEO said the company would retarget the launch in "the coming weeks."
According to Hart, the limited two-day launch window also prompted the company to delay the mission, in addition to the remaining technical work and outstanding launch licenses.
Hart, however, did not go into details as to what technical work is needed for the readiness of the flight.
The Virgin Orbit's mission is the first spaceflight to depart from British soil. It was due to launch from Spaceport Cornwall.
LauncherOne, Virgin Orbit's launch system, is made up of a Boeing 747 and a rocket. During the launch, the aircraft carries the rocket to a high altitude then it will be released on its journey to space.
Read Also: Virgin Orbit is Gearing Up for Its Straight Up Launch - When Will It Happen?
Virgin Orbit's Launch Experiences Several Delays
The launch of Virgin Orbit was initially scheduled for the summer. It was supposed to coincide with the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
However, the launch was eventually pushed back to September and was delayed further until November.
During an interview with The Telegraph in November, Sir Richard Bronson expressed some of his frustration about the delays.
It has been more than 50 years since the British-made Black Arrow rocket reached orbit from the Australian outback. Now, the country is hoping to launch a space mission from British soil.
The first UK mission of Virgin Orbit is called "Start Me Up." It is named after a song by the British band Rolling Stones. The mission will see several small satellites soar into space. It includes an on-orbit manufacturing experiment and a UK military satellite.
The Boeing 747 airplane, called Cosmic Girl, will bring these satellites into space using the LauncherOne rocket.
According to Hart, stakeholders keep on working on coordinated efforts to achieve this historic milestone.
The mission will soon establish the UK as the first nation from western Europe with the capability to launch into orbit.
Related Article: Virgin Orbit's Cosmic Girl Arrives Ahead Time for Milestone Satellite Launch
