Marine licence issued for Virgin Orbit satellite launch project.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has issued a marine licence to the Virgin Orbit satellite launch project.

Virgin Orbit proposes to conduct a maximum of one launch in 2022 and approximately two launches per year over the next 8 years (January 2023-December 2030).

The licence issued by MMO covers the 2022 launch, the first of its kind in the UK. As there is material to be deposited into the sea that will be loaded in the UK, the activity requires a marine licence from MMO, as required by The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

The decision is a result of close collaboration between MMO and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and follows public consultations which were carried out earlier this year.

Trudi Wakelin, Director of Licensing, Marine Planning and Global Marine at the Marine Management Organisation said:

As the independent marine manager and regulator for England’s seas, it’s important that we review any potential environmental impacts before issuing marine licences.

On this occasion, we have worked with primary advisers, interested parties and members of the public during the consultation period to ensure any potential impacts were considered and appropriately assessed.

This enabled MMO to issue the marine licence to the Virgin Orbit project, in preparation for their planned launch later this year.

Copies of the Marine Licence application and associated information may be viewed online in the MMO public register. Case reference MLA/2022/00134. Additional information is also available from MMO’s selected cases page for this marine licence..