UK Obtains Satellite Launch Capability Using Virgin Orbit's Cosmic Girl

Space Cornwall has officially obtained the United Kingdom's first ever spaceport license issued by state regulators.

The development was originally selected as one of 8 potential UK sites to build a burgeoning domestic space industry, allowing a plethora of jobs and tech to remain in the British satellite industry. The region of Cornwall is currently home to more than 55 space-related companies, soon to complete its offering with a satellite launch from the local airport. The site will hopefully be used for a Virgin Galactic air-launch, before year's end, putting the site on the map with the use of the company's modified 747 and air-launched rocket. 

“Skyrora joins in congratulating the Civil Aviation Authority Spaceflight Team and the Department of Transport UK and UK Space Agency for completing a milestone process: issuing the first spaceport license in favour of Cornwall Spaceport - the first horizontal launch site in the UK. 

"This marks and reflects the huge involvement that the UK Space Industry, and launch community in particular, has had in working closely with the regulator to demonstrate and apply the proposed regulations effectively to 'launch' activity. With our iterative approach to building launch experience, Skyrora is delighted that our work alongside key partners, which started in early 2019 to help inform and build the safety case approach to licensing launch, is now being realized in the context of the CAA being satisfied and approving UK Spaceflight licenses. 

"We keenly await the completion and issuing of all license applications that have been submitted thus far and look forward to the UK beginning to realize the enormous added value for the economy and environmental management solutions that regular launch from UK soil will unlock." 

FMI: www.spaceportcornwall.com