News

First orbital satellite launch from the UK set for take-off

Published

3 years ago

January 9, 2023

THE UK is about to play host to an unprecedented space mission, which could turn the country into a home of new rocket launches.

It will be the first ever rocket launch from UK soil, as well as the first time that satellites have been launched from Europe.

As long as there are no last-minute technical hitches and the weather in the far south-west of Britain behaves, a converted Boeing 747 will take off from Spaceport Cornwall, fly out across the Atlantic and launch a rocket that will propel nine satellites into space.

Virgin Orbit’s Start Me Up mission on Monday night will be the first launch of satellites from British soil and is being heralded as the start of a new space era for the UK.

Speaking on a more down-to-earth form of transport – a Devon double-decker bus but with a great view across to the 747 – Ian Annett, the deputy chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “We’re all greens at the moment but of course there’s a number of gremlins that can trip you up at the last moment.

“We’re watching the weather closely but one of the advantages of horizontal launch is that you can quickly get above the weather. It’s looking all right for later.”

We’re at @SpaceCornwall gearing up for the first orbital satellite launch from the UK. 🚀

The launch window opens tonight from 22:16 GMT. ✈️🛰️

Our Deputy CEO Ian Annett breaks down what will happen at launch. 👇

Read more 👉 https://t.co/pjnFCSWc49 #LaunchUK #StartMeUp pic.twitter.com/16btD1r9eL
— UK Space Agency (@spacegovuk) January 9, 2023

Tickets to watch the plane take off were snapped up by members of the public within hours of being released.

Given that the mission is named after a Rolling Stones song, it seemed appropriate that the event had the trappings of a music festival.

There were food stalls and a merchandise stand selling beanies, T-shirts, even a Cornish Spaceport-branded bellyboard (£75). Spectators could take selfies in front of a replica of the LauncherOne rocket that will whiz the satellites into orbit.

There was a big screen that will track the mission and – the staple of any modern festival – a VIP section with leather armchairs. Plus a marquee with a silent disco, which promised to be a useful way of staying warm.

The spectators should see the plane, flown by Sqn Ldr Matthew Stannard, an RAF test pilot, take off from the spaceport runway and fly over the Atlantic towards Ireland.

About an hour after take-off, the rocket will be detached at 10,700 metres (35,000ft). It will fall for a few seconds before it ignites and shoots southwards, gathering speed and altitude as it passes Portugal and the Canary Islands.

At about 1.30am on Tuesday, Virgin Orbit’s mission controllers – and the crowd – should know whether the rocket has successfully delivered the satellites in orbit.

Among those with satellites onboard are the UK’s Ministry of Defence, the sultanate of Oman, the US National Reconnaissance Office and British startups including the Welsh company Space Forge, which is developing reusable satellites.

If all goes well, it will be a triumph for north Cornwall, which has faced scepticism over the years that such a mission could be launched from an area more associated with surfing than space adventures.

Melissa Thorpe, the head of Spaceport Cornwall, which is based in a corner of the commercial airport, said: “I hope people will feel some inspiration, some aspiration, and feel proud of how we are representing Cornwall going to the stars. There’s a lot of doom and gloom out there. It’s exciting, different, it’s also a bit of an underdog story.”

UPDATE: Expected take-off time moved forward

SPACE launches are often subject to delay – but tonight, it looks like things are moving forward.

Cosmic Girl, the aircraft carrying the LauncherOne rocket, will start moving down the runway at around 9.30pm, with the wheels going up about 15 minutes later.

The original launch window had the craft taking off at 10.16pm at the earliest, so this move things forward by half an hour.

LauncherOne is due to blast off from the plane between an hour and 90 minutes after take-off.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.