Richard Branson

Virgin Orbit uses customised jet airliner ‘Cosmic Girl’ to launch its rockets (image: Virgin Orbit)

How Virgin Orbit works - and who owns satellite launch company

(Photos: Getty Images)

Failed Cornwall rocket launch likely to have burned up upon re-entry

Cosmic Girl, carrying Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket, takes off from Spaceport Cornwall (Photo: PA)

First UK space launch fails after suffering ‘anomaly’ during flight

Virgin Orbit’s Cosmic Girl will be the first orbital launch from the UK (Photo: Getty Images)

The first space launch from the UK is due to take place today