Spaceport Cornwall awarded licence to host UK’s first space launch
The prospect of a “historic” space mission being launched from the far southwest of Britain before Christmas has taken a giant leap forward after an operating licence was granted to Spaceport Cornwall.
There had been growing concern at the time it was taking for the issuing of licences that would allow the first launch of satellites from UK soil, but on Wednesday morning, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that the site in Newquay could be used for sending satellites into space.
A repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft named Cosmic Girl, fitted with a rocket that will propel nine satellites into orbit, has been waiting at the spaceport for the go-ahead from the regulators.
When it gets final clearance – and a suitable weather window – the plane will take off from the spaceport and soar to 35,000ft (10,700 metres) over the Atlantic and release the LauncherOne rocket that will send nine satellites into orbit.
The CAA said the site, based at Cornwall airport Newquay, had demonstrated to the regulator it had met the appropriate safety, security, environment and other aspects to operate a spaceport.
It had satisfied the authorities that it had the infrastructure, equipment and services for horizontal space launches.
The licence means that Virgin Orbit, which is behind the launch (named Start Me Up after the Rolling Stones song), is clear to begin to carry out mission-readiness tasks. But further licences are needed relating to this specific mission before blast-off can happen.
Melissa Thorpe, the head of Spaceport Cornwall, said: “To be the first spaceport in the UK with a licence to operate is a historic moment. Cornwall is now ready to open up the use of space for good.”
She added: “The CAA continues to work on several licence applications, including being in very advanced stages with Virgin Orbit on its applications for launch and range licences, as well as the satellite operators, ahead of a proposed first UK launch.
Dan Hart, the chief executive of Virgin Orbit, said obtaining the licence was a “key preparatory milestone” of Cosmic Girl.
Louis Gardner, Cornwall council portfolio holder for economy, said it was a “fantastic” milestone. “We are now one step closer to becoming the UK’s first operational spaceport. We await with great excitement the next steps,” he said.
The transport secretary, Mark Harper, said: “Virgin Orbit’s planned launch reinforces our position as a leading space nation as we look to the future of spaceflight, which can
spur growth and innovation across the sector, as well as creating thousands of jobs and apprenticeships.”
Spaceport Cornwall is one of seven spaceports being developed across Britain. The first vertical space launch is expected to take place next year from the planned SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in Shetland.
The locations for four other proposed spaceports in Scotland are: the A’ Mhòine peninsula in Sutherland; Prestwick in South Ayrshire; Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute; and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.
Another spaceport has been planned at Llanbedr, Gwynedd, in north Wales.
The government hopes commercial space launches will be worth £3.8bn to the UK economy over the next decade.