Plans for UK satellite launcher

The BBC reports that Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and Sir Richard Branson's space travel venture Virgin Galactic want to develop a UK satellite launcher.

Although the United Kingdom is the 5th largest economy in the world it currently lacks its own independent launch facility.

It has been reported that Virgin Galactic have been looking at Moray as a potential UK Spaceport.

According to news reports the system would be capable of launching satellites into a 400 km orbit. This is slightly higher than the International Space Station and satellites put into this orbit would have a limited life span before they burn up in the atmosphere (The ISS has its orbit periodically boosted to prevent re-entry).

The low orbit is not, however, an obstacle to commercial success since many satellite missions are designed for a short life-time, less than a couple of years.

BBC News - 'Plans for UK satellite launcher'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7862827.stm

The Telegraph - 'Virgin Galactic: Two British firms look at developing space rocket'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/
sciencenews/4443532/Virgin-Galactic-Two-British-firms-look-at-developing-space-rocket.html

Virgin Galactic eye up Moray for spaceport
http://www.compare-airport-parking.co.uk/news/1457/
Virgin-Galactic-eye-up-Moray-for-spaceport.html

Virgin Galactic
http://www.virgingalactic.com/

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)
http://www.sstl.co.uk/