Space: First Welsh satellite set to be launched later in 2022

Image source, Space Forge

The first satellite made in Wales is going to be launched in the fall.

The unit in Rumney was once used to make burger vans.

The company hopes to launch a returnable and re-usable satellite next year.

It is part of a launch that will deploy multiple satellites into low Earth orbit.

Space Forge and Lumi Space are working together to create the world's first returnable and re-use satellite platform.

Joshua Western, the chief executive of Space Forge, said a return launch had been booked for next year, despite this year's satellite not returning to earth.

The introduction of Mr Western into the space industry was less than usual.

He started Space Forge full-time in 2020 after studying politics at university.

Image source, Space Forge

He wasn't very good at science but he was passionate about space.

I wrote to the CEO of a space company and asked for a job interview because I didn't know the UK had a space industry at the time. They gave me a job after interviewing me.

AndrewBacon was the most phenomenal engineer and presented the technologies of space to me.

Last year, the company took over a unit that was previously used to make burger vans for the fair.

"For 13 months we operated without a building and were shipping space hardware around Europe to be worked on by our employees." Some of them didn't meet us for a long time.

In March 2020, we had two people, now we have 40 full-time, who are all based in Wales.

Image source, Space Forge

The satellite will be launched from Spaceport Cornwall this summer in order to test its return capability.

Virgin Orbit will deploy several satellites into low Earth orbit.

The first mission will be a test of future return from space technology and can be deployed from a conventional launcher.

Lumi Space will be using lasers to track the satellite as it descends.

Dan Hart, chief executive of Virgin Orbit, said that Space Forge is joining the growing community of space innovators.

There will be a finished satellite by the end of July and it will be sent to Cornwall to be launched.