‘Space is hard’: Crowds in Cornwall burst with pride, despite disappointing end to momentous mission
“Space is hard” – a mantra often repeated by Virgin Orbit and those in charge of Spaceport Cornwall in the last few months leading up to this mission – and last night proved that point.
As an American Virgin Orbit presenter announced something had gone wrong on the big screen at the airport, an electric party atmosphere in the crowd quickly turned quiet and subdued.
But despite the last-minute “anomaly”, the thousands slowly leaving the airport, deckchairs in arms, remained proud.
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‘Godspeed, Cosmic Girl!
“It was a little disappointing, but it’s been a great evening,” one lady told me.
“It’s a first for Cornwall, and we actually work at the airport, so it’s been fantastic for us to see our little airport being shown to the world.
“It’s been a big deal for Cornwall and a big deal for the airport, we’re a tiny little airport so to put us on the world map has been absolutely brilliant.
“It’s been a good night – and fingers crossed for take two!”
Her daughter said: “It’s been great, great to see so many turn out. It was good to see take-off so it’s been good. I don’t think we should be too disappointed. It’s nice to support Cornwall.”
About 2,000 had been lucky enough to secure a ticket to watch to launch – and the gathering in the chilly weather made for a festival vibe.
“It couldn’t be missed, could it?” Ben told me alongside his four sons. “Hugely proud – it’s amazing.”
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Ben’s son Gulliver wanted to come after recently meeting British Astronaut Tim Peake in a space competition.
He said: “I met him at the Science Museum in London! It’s amazing – not a lot happens in Cornwall so having such a big thing is surprising!”
As Gulliver packed up his camping chair, Tim Peake tweeted: “So disappointing, but getting to space is hard and valuable lessons will be learned.”
Disappointment yes, but those following Cornwall’s journey to space have no intention of giving up.
A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.
“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”
Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield
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The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.
A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.
According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.
Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.
While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.
The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province
Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.
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According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.
It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.
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