Forres-based rocket firm Orbex remain focused on Sutherland rocket launch despite Virgin Orbit failure

A FORRES-based rocket firm says it remains committed to launching its environmentally friendly rocket Prime despite Virgin Orbit's failed launch last night.

Orbex plans to start launching satellites from a Spaceport in Sutherland in the the near future.

However, attempts to carry out the UK's first ever satellite launch ended in failure last night when a rocket carried by a jumbo jet suffered an 'anomaly' resulting in the satellites being lost.

The mission, which took place in Cornwall, had been billed as a major milestone for UK space with the country aiming to become a global player in the industry.

However, despite what could be seen as a set back for the UK space industry when the launch failed, Orbex remain committed to carrying out its own launches in the near future.

A spokesperson for Orbex said: “Space is never easy, so we were sorry to learn that Virgin Orbit's first horizontal orbital space launch from the UK did not go as planned. We know how much time, effort and energy must have been invested to deliver that launch attempt, and we wish them well for their next mission.”

“The Orbex team is fully focused on introducing the UK to vertical orbital launches with the debut of our UK-built environmentally-friendly rocket, Prime. We will be launching from our own pad at Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland in the near future.”