The Satellite Applications Catapult (“the Catapult”) and Virgin
Orbit (“Virgin Orbit”, Nasdaq: VORB), a leading launch provider,
have announced an agreement to launch the latest satellite in the
Catapult’s In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) programme into space from
the United Kingdom later this year.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220406005466/en/
(Left to Right) Virgin Orbit Founder Sir
Richard Branson, Head of Spaceport Cornwall Melissa Thorpe, Head of
Space Access for the Satellite Applications Catapult Michael
Curtis-Rouse, and Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart attend the National
Space Symposium 2022 in Colorado Springs, CO (Photo: Business
Wire)
The satellite, called Amber-1, is a partnership between the
Catapult and Horizon Technologies. Built by AAC Clyde Space in
Scotland, it will be launched by Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne on its
historic flight from Spaceport Cornwall this year – a mission that
is expected to mark the first ever orbital launch from a United
Kingdom spaceport.
The objective of the mission is to demonstrate for the first
time how launch from the United Kingdom can benefit the rapidly
growing UK space sector and can enable organisations to rapidly
deploy new technologies to orbit, with a complete end-to-end
capability coordinated from UK soil.
Amber-1 is expected to be the first of 20+ planned Amber™
satellites to provide Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) data to
users. Using unique, patented technology, the system will geolocate
and demodulate radio frequency (RF) data from ships around the
world. Horizon Technologies’ data will be used by governments to
provide information on the tracking and prevention of illegal
fishing, smuggling, trafficking, piracy, and terrorism. Information
collected through the programme will be provided to the United
Kingdom’s Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC).
“We are delighted to work with the Catapult and Horizon to
launch Amber-1 on this planned historic flight, the first to bring
domestic launch capability to the United Kingdom. We believe
tracking shipping from space is vital to keeping the seas safe and
that Amber-1 is a key technology that will aid this endeavour. This
important technology, and Virgin Orbit’s collaboration with the
Catapult are the latest signs of the growth we are seeing across
the UK space economy. This is galvanized by our planned capability
to launch straight from the United Kingdom to orbit,” said
Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart.
Lucy Edge, COO of the Satellite Applications Catapult
said: “This launch is a huge milestone for the space sector in the
UK. This summer, the UK completes its end-to-end ecosystem enabling
companies to design, build, launch and operate their spacecraft all
from one place.
“The impact for the UK Space Economy is uncapped, and we look
forward to supporting this vibrant sector in demonstrating major
advances in agile access to space.”
John Beckner, CEO of Horizon Technologies said: “The
launch of Amber-1 has been a long time in coming, and we are
thrilled to be part of our partner, Virgin Orbit’s planned launch
this summer. Amber™ will revolutionize maritime RF detection from
space using single CubeSats (as opposed to expensive clusters). We
believe Amber™ is a glowing example of a successful partnership
between a growing UK SME and the Satellite Applications
Catapult.”
Science Minister George Freeman said: “British satellites
have been saving lives at sea for decades by providing emergency
communications and location services, so it is fitting that Virgin
Orbit’s first mission from Space Cornwall later this year will
launch a maritime intelligence satellite.
“This will be a major milestone for our £16 billion space and
satellite sector and a great example of the government’s National
Space Strategy in action.”
Esra Kasapoglu, Director of AI and Data Economy, Innovate
UK added, “The British satellite and space sector plays a
significant role in saving lives, digital communications, location
services, scientific discoveries and creating environmental and
social impact.
It is excellent to see Innovate UK’s funding for the In-Orbit
Demonstration programme resulting in the launch of the first small
satellite from a British spaceport. This is a milestone achievement
and highlights the importance of our developing sovereign
capabilities in these turbulent times.
The launch of this maritime intelligence satellite has been
achieved through the partnership of Sat App Catapult and Virgin
Orbit, to deliver the In-Orbit Demonstration Program. This
programme will not only support the security of the maritime
environment and maritime operations but signals the start of the
UK’s space launch industry.
The UK has some of the most innovative satellite companies in
the world, and with this major first achievement, we are truly
moving from being a seafaring nation to a spacefaring nation.
Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, will
continue to support this vibrant space and satellite sector, their
SMEs, and innovators.”
Ian Annett, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “We
are delivering on the ambitious plans for the UK to tap into the
growing global market for small satellite launch and it is exciting
to see yet another satellite confirmed for launch by Virgin
Orbit.
“This country is home to some of the most innovative satellite
companies in the world, but they have never been able to launch
from UK soil. We are on the cusp of a major milestone as a
spacefaring nation, as we countdown to the first small satellite
launch from a British spaceport.”
Chris Chant, Director of the Joint Maritime Security
Centre said: “JMSC provides government with comprehensive
maritime domain awareness of the UK EEZ and the UK Overseas
Territories. I look forward to seeing how this capability will
contribute to that picture.”
Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall said: “This
announcement is exactly why we are so excited to offer sovereign
launch from Spaceport Cornwall. We are proud to know that on our
first launch this year, will be Amber-1, which will be integral to
the UK’s maritime safety - benefitting not only the general public,
but the marine ecosystem. This is a larger scale representation of
what we are trying to achieve through Kernow Sat-1, with the
monitoring of ocean health around the coast of Cornwall. This
mission encapsulates using space for good, by demonstrating how
increased Earth Observation can aid humanity and our
environment.”
The IOD programme is funded by Innovate UK and the UK Space
Agency. The 6U satellite platform for the mission has been built by
Glasgow-based AAC Clyde Space, one of the largest CubeSat
manufacturers in the world.
Notes for Editors
About the Satellite Applications Catapult
The Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation
and technology company, created by Innovate UK to drive economic
growth through the exploitation of space. We work with businesses
and organisations of all sizes to realise their potential from
space infrastructure and its applications. Based in Harwell,
Oxfordshire, the Catapult was established in May 2013 as one of a
network of centres to accelerate the take-up of emerging
technologies and drive economic impact for the UK. We are a
not-for-profit research organisation which is registered as a
private company limited by guarantee and controlled by its
Board.
See www.sa.catapult.org.uk for more
information.
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.
About Horizon Technologies
Horizon Technologies is a Global Leader in innovative SIGINT and
Space-Based Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Intelligence
Solutions.
Horizon Aerospace Technologies is a world leader in airborne Sat
Phone monitoring systems for Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance (ISR) applications, equipping governments worldwide
by enhancing their SIGINT capabilities. We are the Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the FlyingFish™ and BlackFish™
SIGINT systems which are in operation on numerous platforms
worldwide. We participate daily in ISR and SAR missions via NATO
and FRONTEX in Europe and are heavily involved in international
operations around the globe.
Horizon Space Technologies is the prime contractor for the UK
Government’s Amber™ program. The Amber™ Program will consist of
Amber™ CubeSats in multiple orbital planes providing global
Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) data to the UK JMSC (led by Royal
Navy).
www.horizontechnologies.eu
About the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC)
The Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) is the UK government’s
centre of excellence for maritime security. Its mission is to
increase awareness and understanding of maritime security threats
and enable cross-government coordination to deliver a whole-system
response to mitigate them.
JMSC incorporates the National Maritime Information Centre
(NMIC) which provides a mechanism for the United Kingdom’s civilian
and military maritime and law enforcement focused organisations to
fuse intelligence, data and capabilities. This maximises
operational impact at home and abroad. JMSC’s Operations Centre
utilises cutting edge technology to provide 24/7 monitoring of UK
waters.
About the In-Orbit Demonstration programme
The In-Orbit Demonstration programme is funded by Innovate UK
and offers service providers a fast-track, low-cost opportunity to
accelerate to test their service or technology on a CubeSat mission
launched into low Earth orbit.
IOD helps accelerate to ‘proof of concept’ stage by providing an
affordable in-orbit testbed and a range of operational and business
support services to exploit the commercial potential of the
mission.
About Spaceport Cornwall
For video and other 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.
Web: https://spaceportcornwall.com/ Twitter: @SpaceCornwall
Instagram: @spacecornwall Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/spaceport-cornwall/ Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Spacecornwall/
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, including but not
limited to Virgin Orbit’s ability to access sources of capital; its
ability to grow market share in the developing space economy;
market acceptance of its current and planned products and services
and ability to achieve sufficient production volumes, as well as
the factors, risks and uncertainties included in Virgin Orbit’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 30th, 2022, as well as in
the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov and the Investor Information section of Virgin Orbit’s
website at www.virginorbit.com. These filings identify and address
other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Virgin
Orbit’s actual events and results to differ materially from those
contained in the forward-looking statements. 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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220406005466/en/
Tim Pinchin, Head of Marketing and Communications, Satellite
Applications Catapult tim.pinchin@sa.catapult.org.uk | 07741
195955
Alison Patch, Senior Director of Communications, Virgin Orbit
alison.patch@virginorbit.com | +1 949 616 2504
John Beckner, CEO, Horizon Technologies
john.beckner@horizontechnologies.com | +49 172 890 5358
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