First rocket launch in Western Europe can be seen from the Netherlands | Technology
A missile launch is aborted from a well-known launch site such as Cape Canaveral (United States), Bajkonoer (Kazakhstan) or Kourou (French Guiana). On Monday it will be Western Europe’s turn for the first time. Satellites are launched south of Ireland, over the Atlantic Ocean. Its glow may also be seen from the Netherlands, by looking at it similarly.
The mission is being carried out by Virgin Orbit, a space company owned by suspect Richard Branson. With another company, Virgin Galactic, he is trying to sell cheap flights to the space. During such a flight, the astronauts are in a craft that hangs under an aircraft. Together they take off, and in the air the plane drops the spacecraft. Then the rocket motors turn on and the launch begins.
This is how the first launch of satellites should go on Monday. A Boeing 747 named Cosmic Girl is due to take off in England at around 11:16 p.m. (Dutch time). Over the Atlantic Ocean he has to release a missile, the LauncherOne. That may happen around midnight. The missile then flew south, towards Spain and Portugal. The LauncherOne contains nine satellites from seven customers. That payload must be delivered to orbit around the Earth.
Residents of Zeeland should be the first to see the launch. About five minutes into the mission, the rocket should happen there above the horizon. In the minutes, the tranquility of the country could also get a view of the launch, as long as the clouds and tall buildings don’t get in the way.
That mission is called Turn me on, to a song by the Rolling Stones. That band has released albums in the past through Virgin Records, the record company founded by Branson.