LondonGermany, not Britain, will fly the rockets.
That leaves Britain’s satellite access hostage to another country’s scheduling decisions.
A satellite you cannot launch yourself is a capability an ally can withhold by simply rescheduling, without any embargo.
The government has not said what happens to unallocated launcher funding once earmarked for Orbex.
How each outlet framed it
- European Spaceflight
- reveals language shift from 'sovereign capability' to 'assured access,' highlights silence on home-grown rocket builders like Orbex
Sources: European Spaceflight