Published on 12:22 PM, January 10, 2023

Historic UK rocket mission ends in failure

A replica model of Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket sits in a media area ahead of UK's First launch at Newquay Airport in Newquay, Britain, January 8, 2023.Photo: Reuters

An attempt to launch the first rocket into orbit from UK soil ended in failure on Tuesday, with scientists reporting an "anomaly" as it neared its goal.

"We appear to have an anomaly that has prevented us from reaching orbit," tweeted Virgin Orbit, organiser of the mission.