USA: Tuesday saw a "anomaly" with a mission to put the first satellites into orbit from Western Europe, according to Virgin Orbit.
Using a modified jumbo jet, the US-based company tried its first international launch on Monday, transporting one of its rockets from Cornwall in southwest England to the Atlantic Ocean where it was released. Nine small satellites for both civil and defence purposes were to be launched into orbit by the rocket.
However, the airline said that a problem was encountered about two hours after takeoff.

We seem to have a problem that has kept us from getting into orbit. Virgin Orbit posted on Twitter, "We are evaluating the information.

British business magnate Richard Branson founded Virgin Orbit, which is traded on the NASDAQ. It has successfully launched four times before from California.

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A repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 named "Cosmic Girl" took off from Cornwall late Monday, to the cheers of hundreds gathered for the launch. The rocket was launched at a height of about 35,000 feet (about 10,000 metres), over the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland, about an hour into the flight.

After launching the rocket, the aircraft, which was being flown by a Royal Air Force pilot, returned to Cornwall.

While some of the satellites are for businesses like those involved in navigational technology, others are used to monitor UK defence. One Welsh business wants to produce materials, like electronic components, in space.

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The mission was highly anticipated by UK officials. A "new era" has begun for his nation's space industry, according to Ian Annett, deputy chief executive of the UK Space Agency. According to Annett, there is a significant market demand for small satellite launches, and the UK wants to be "the hub of European launches."

In the past, UK-made satellites had to be transported to foreign spaceports in order to launch into orbit.

The UK Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, Virgin Orbit, and Cornwall Council worked together on the mission.

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Due to technical and legal issues, the launch was delayed from its original schedule for late last year.