A mission to launch the 海角视频鈥檚 first orbital satellite into space from Cornwall will be a 鈥渟trategically significant鈥 moment for the country, according to the president of industry trade association 海角视频space.

A specially adapted Boeing 747 is due to take off from Spaceport Cornwall at Cornwall Airport near Newquay on Monday night (January 9). The Virgin Atlantic plane will take off horizontally from the airport while carrying the rocket which will blast nine satellites into space while over the Atlantic.

The launch was initially planned for December but was pushed back after delays in obtaining Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licences.

Dr Alice Bunn, 海角视频space president, said the so-called 鈥楽tart Me Up鈥 mission, if successful, would signal a 鈥渕ajor milestone鈥 for the 海角视频 space sector.

鈥淭onight's planned first orbital space launch from the 海角视频 is a historic moment,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he industry is at a critical stage of development as we are on the cusp of an industrial revolution in space.

鈥淪mall satellites provide essential services for every single one of us; they are the invisible enabler of our modern lives, and the 海角视频 already has a global lead in their manufacture. This trend is increasing, which is why having a launch capability in the 海角视频 is so strategically significant.鈥

According to 海角视频space, Britain's space sector is now valued at around 拢14.8bn a year and provides 42,000 jobs - but could double to 拢30bn by 2030 and a further 30,000 jobs in the next decade.

鈥淢any of [the jobs] are 鈥榞reen jobs鈥 in areas like climate change monitoring, smart transport routing and flood prevention,鈥 added Dr Bunn. 鈥淭hese jobs are spread across the 海角视频 including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Midlands and the South West.鈥

The 鈥楽tart Me Up鈥 mission is a collaborative effort between the 海角视频 Space Agency, Cornwall Council, the Royal Air Force and Virgin Orbit.

Launch proceedings are set to start between 9.45pm and 10:45pm on Monday, when the Cosmic Girl 747 will take off from Spaceport Cornwall. Between 10.54pm and 11.54pm, the LauncherOne rocket will be released, with Cosmic Girl returning to Cornwall between midnight and 1am on Tuesday.

Virgin Orbit will be broadcasting a from 9pm tonight.

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