The latest outing for Europe's new small satellite launcher, Vega, has been postponed until an unspecified date because of bad weather conditions.

BBC: Bad weather postpones Europe's Vega rocket launch

When European Space Agency (Esa) member states decided to cancel this shuttle project on the grounds of cost, the Ariane 5 was turned into a commercial satellite launcher.

BBC: New rocket could lift astronauts

Although a number of other groups in the UK have pursued a satellite launcher capability, the pedigree of SSTL and Virgin Galactic is likely to make potential investors sit up and take notice.

BBC: Plans for UK satellite launcher

Dr Baker says the challenge is to get the cost of a small-satellite launcher down to a few million, and he is so excited by the possibilities that he is leaving his employer to join Virgin Galactic.

ECONOMIST: Space

One problem was that the rocket used as a booster (a type known as Pegasus, that is designed to be used as a satellite launcher) is usually dropped from its launch aircraft at an altitude of 12, 200 metres.

ECONOMIST: Hypersonic aviation

Ukraine's new seaborne commercial satellite-launcher had a promising first outing this month.

ECONOMIST: Ukraine��s grim choice

In 1996 Lockheed won competitions to build a replacement for the space shuttle, an infra-red satellite-warning system and a new rocket-launcher for the American air force.

ECONOMIST: Lockheed Martin

"Arianespace Flight 142 placed its dual satellite payload in a lower than desired orbit following a problem with the launcher's upper stage, " the statement said.

CNN: Ariane rocket puts satellites in defective orbit