Spaceport Cornwall a step closer to launch

SPACEPORT Cornwall has taken another crucial step on the road to becoming the first place in Britain to stage a satellite launch.

The Newquay Airport-based site, which is hosting Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit project, is on the way to obtaining its operator licence to allow the launch to go ahead later this year.

The Civil Aviation Authority yesterday launched a public consultation, so local people and businesses can have their say on the likely environmental impact of the launch.

Tim Johnson, Policy Director for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This is the first time the Civil Aviation Authority has consulted on an organisation’s environmental assessment around a space launch.

“As the UK’s space regulator, it’s important we review environmental effects before issuing licences, and we are working closely with the Marine Management Organisation to make sure Newquay residents and businesses’ voices are heard before making any final decisions.”

Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, has stressed since Spaceport opened that she was adamant the facility would be operated in an environmentally friendly way.

“We are thrilled to be taking the next step in our licence process,” she said. “We started this project with the aim of changing the conversations around the impact of the space industry – promoting ownership and action. This is just the beginning and we hope to set the bar for responsible launch in the UK.”

Both the Spaceport and Virgin Orbit have submitted an Assessment of Environmental Effects for public consultation.

The assessment gives the organisations the opportunity to show they have considered all environmental effects and demonstrate measures they will take to avoid, mitigate, or offset any significant risks.

The consultation marks a milestone in the Civil Aviation Authority’s work to enable new space activities to operate from within the UK.

The Civil Aviation Authority will now consider the Assessment of Environmental Effects and the responses to the consultation as part of the licence application process.

Virgin Orbit must also obtain a marine licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which includes another public consultation that is currently running in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority.

If the licence applications are successful, it brings the UK one step closer to its first ever space launch from UK soil.