Spaceport Cornwall prepares for first launch in spring of 2022

The first launch from Cornwall’s Spaceport could take place in the spring of 2022 after Virgin Orbit’s successful recent test flight.

Spaceport Cornwall, at Newquay’s airport, will be a horizontal launch site where modified aeroplanes will be used to launch small satellites into orbit above the Earth.

It is overseen by Melissa Thorpe, the new head of Spaceport Cornwall, although she has been working at the site since its inception in 2014.

Like many other things the progress on Spaceport Cornwall has been impacted by the global pandemic. But Ms Thorpe, who grew up in Canada, explained that while there had not been much physically happening at Cornwall Airport Newquay, where the spaceport will be based, there had been a lot of work behind the scenes.

She said: “It is the transition time now from planning over the last few years to delivery mode. The pandemic has had an impact, the real big impact has been on the delay on the regulations and legislation from the Government that we need to operate the spaceport.

“We knew from the outset that was going to be an issue - there has also been an impact on the launch by Virgin Orbit. But while it has been quiet on the surface we have been busy behind the scenes preparing for the work needed for the infrastructure for the spaceport. We have also been working a lot on outreach - we have had online sessions with schools.”

The first launch from Spaceport Cornwall had originally been earmarked for October 2021 but various delays and the Covid pandemic mean it is now set for spring 2022.

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The regulatory components and legislation are expected to go through Parliament in the summer which will enable Spaceport Cornwall to apply for the licences required to operate as a spaceport while Virgin Orbit will be able to apply for the licences needed to launch from the site.

It is hoped that will be possible in early 2022 which will enable the first launch to take place in the spring. Ms Thorpe said: “We are coming out of the pandemic looking to recruit and create jobs - the programme hasn’t changed.”

One of the biggest milestones for Spaceport Cornwall occurred recently when Virgin Orbit successfully deployed its LauncherOne system from the US. The system - which uses a modified 747 aeroplane - successfully launched small satellites into orbit.

Ms Thorpe said: “This milestone of launching, we have been waiting for months and for it to happen is special. We are excited as it is a significant push for us with the tech being proven now.”

And with the close links that have been formed between Virgin Orbit in California with Spaceport Cornwall the launch was a shared experience.

Ms Thorpe said: “From the top down we have had messages straight away and calls from them saying how excited they are to come to Cornwall.”

She said there are now four main strands to the project in the near future. The first is to install the infrastructure needed at the airport so it can operate as a spaceport - this is being funded by Cornwall Council, which owns the airport, through funding previously agreed.

Second is the continuing work on the previously mentioned regulatory side of the project. Thirdly, Spaceport Cornwall is focusing on the impact the project may have on the environment and climate change.

An updated carbon assessment is set to be published in the next few weeks and Ms Thorpe said she wants Spaceport Cornwall to be the most sustainable spaceport in the world and be used as an example for others.

“We want to look at the environment and do it in a more sustainable way,” she said. “We want to be the most sustainable launch site in the entire world - we want to go out and challenge the rest of the world.”

Finally, the spaceport outreach programme will continue with an aim to engage with every school in Cornwall in the next 18 months.

One of the major benefits which have been highlighted by supporters of the spaceport is the opportunity it provides for businesses in Cornwall and the opportunity to attract new businesses and investment into the Duchy.

Ms Thorpe said this was a key part of the project and said work was being done to ensure Cornish businesses can play a part in the supply chain.

She stressed Spaceport Cornwall is not just about Virgin Orbit saying there was work being done to attract more operators to Cornwall with announcements set to be made later this year.

She said: “To me the launch is exciting but it is also the spaceport as a catalyst, as a platform to attract business, investment, jobs and funding into the area.

“We have incredible businesses here already doing wonderful things and working on world class projects and we want them involved with this.”

Spaceport Cornwall is also working with the University of Exeter and with Truro and Penwith College and Cornwall College to put training and courses in place for those who might want to follow a career in the space industry.

And with the G7 summit set to come to Cornwall in summer 2021 there is an opportunity to further highlight Spaceport Cornwall on the global map.

Ms Thorpe said: “The G7 is an opportunity to showcase how Cornwall is moving forward. Cornwall is very beautiful but we can show the other side of it, the progressive and pioneering side of it.”

She added: “This is hope for something exciting in the future. For us there is a level of optimism and positivity. But we are not naive in any way, we know the challenges that we face to bring space launch to Cornwall.

“We are so close to it happening now that we can only look forward. This is a moment for Cornwall to be incredibly proud. This is the beginning of something really special for Cornwall and the UK, but particularly for Cornwall.”