Virgin Orbit remains committed to Toowoomba spaceport despite failed Cornwall launch in January

The international company promising to make Toowoomba a spaceport by next year says its failed launch from the UK in recent weeks has not dampened its Australian aspirations.

Major aerospace company Virgin Orbit says it is still committed to establishing a spaceport just outside Toowoomba, despite concerns being raised about its approach following a failed UK launch in January.

The Richard Branson-led entity, which wants to launch satellites into orbit from Wellcamp Airport via a customised Boeing 747 plane, has blamed a wandering fuel filter for the unsuccessful January 9 attempt from its English spaceport in Cornwall.

According to reports, the LauncherOne rocket encountered problems during its second-stage engine burn after being released from the plane.

The failed launch, which caused Virgin Orbit’s share price to drop significantly, has raised concerns about the company’s viability and its proposal to launch from the air rather than the ground.

NEWQUAY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 09: A general view of Cosmic Girl, a repurposed Boeing 747 aircraft carrying the LauncherOne rocket under its left wing, as final preparations are made at Cornwall Airport Newquay on January 9, 2023 in Newquay, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

UK politicians even called the incident a “disaster” for the UK’s burgeoning space industry.

But VO’s government operations vice-president Janice Starzyk, who addressed Toowoomba residents at a conference in November, said it was still talking to airport owner Wagner Corporation about its future Toowoomba base.

She also described the launch as an “important step forward”, noting it was the first unsuccessful orbit after four previous satisfactory launches.

Toowoomba is set to shoot for the stars after billion-dollar small satellite launcher Virgin Orbit announced Wagner Corporation’s Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport as the location for its next satellite launch site and spaceport. Picture: Supplied.

“Though the mission did not achieve its final orbit, by reaching space and achieving numerous significant first-time achievements, it represents an important step forward,” Ms Starzyk said.

“The effort behind the flight brought together new partnerships and integrated collaboration from a wide range of partners, including the UK Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, the Civil Aviation Authority, the US Federal Aviation Administration, the National Reconnaissance Office, and more, and demonstrated that space launch is achievable from a new spaceport.

“Out of five LauncherOne missions carrying payloads for private companies and governmental agencies, this is the first to fall short of delivering its payloads to their precise target orbit.”

Virgin Orbit's vice-president of government operations Janice Starzyk.

Ms Starzyk argued the company’s development had been a net positive for the UK’s space industry, despite the setback.

“Our launch from Cornwall was a tremendous step in proving out our international launch capability,” she said.

“Over the past three years, the UK developed and approved new space regulations, stood up a space launch regulator, went through the process of licensing their first spaceport and first orbital launch.

“Even prior to the launch, Virgin Orbit’s activities in Cornwall have demonstrated how a spaceport can catalyse the local economy with a number of companies now operating out of Spaceport Cornwall and interactions with over 10,000 students, strengthening STEM in the region.”

Ms Starzyk said it still needed to obtain licencing from Australian authorities, but hoped to still launch from Toowoomba by next year.

“Virgin Orbit is currently working with potential customers for the initial launch from Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in 2024,” she said.

“We and Wagner Corporation have been working with the Australian Space Agency on the licensing requirements for our first mission.”