- historic moment as UK Civil Aviation Authority issues
first-ever UK spaceport licence
- Spaceport Cornwall has demonstrated it meets the statutory
requirements on safety, security, environment and other aspects
to operate a UK spaceport
- nearly 150 satellite licences issued by the UK Civil Aviation
Authority, supporting the growing space sector which is creating
thousands of jobs
The UK’s first orbital space
launch moved one step closer to take-off as Spaceport Cornwall
received the UK’s first-ever
spaceport licence.
The UK Civil Aviation
Authority issued the licence, following consent from Transport
Secretary , meaning he is in agreement
with the licensing decisions made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Spaceport Cornwall, based at Cornwall Airport Newquay, has
demonstrated to the regulator it has met the appropriate safety,
security, environment and other aspects to operate a UK spaceport. The approval also means
Spaceport Cornwall has the infrastructure, equipment and services
for horizontal space launches.
The licence enables Virgin Orbit to begin ‘wet dress’ rehearsals
ahead of a proposed launch, which would be the first of its kind
on European soil.
This latest licence adds to nearly 150 satellite licences already
approved by the UK Civil
Aviation Authority since becoming the UK’s space regulator in July 2021.
The growing space industry will boost innovation and is estimated
to be worth £16.5 billion and support 47,000 jobs, with 2,500
apprentices opening the sector up to even more people.
Transport Secretary said:
The cosmic cornerstone is being laid for the UK’s first orbital space launch, with the
UK Civil Aviation Authority
granting Spaceport Cornwall the first-ever spaceport licence.
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.
Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
This is an historic moment as we licence the first-ever spaceport
in the UK. We’re proud to be
playing our part in facilitating the UK’s space ambitions through assessing
the safety, security and other requirements of these activities.
This is another major milestone to enable this country to become
a leading launch nation.
When we became the space regulator, we committed to delivering in
an open, effective and proportionate way, with public safety at
its heart. Our work does not stop with this licence decision
as we continue to assess other licence applications and oversee
the effectiveness of licenced activities, all enabling the
UK’s space sector to grow
safely and securely.
Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, said:
To be the first Spaceport in the UK with a licence to operate is a
historic moment. The regulatory environment created by the Civil
Aviation Authority ensures that UK launch will set the global bar in
terms of responsibility and transparency.
Cornwall is now ready to open up the use of Space for Good, and
support the UK industry in
harnessing the power of space to benefit life on Earth.
The UK Civil Aviation
Authority’s licence for Spaceport Cornwall follows months of
working closely with government and other organisations including
the Marine Management Organisation, the Maritime and Coastguard
Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.
The UK Civil Aviation
Authority 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.
The regulator is also progressing applications from a range of
other spaceports and operators, and recently started a
consultation on the environmental effects of a proposed SaxaVord
launch in Scotland.
Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit CEO, said:
Obtaining this license marks a point of distinction for Spaceport
Cornwall, and is a key preparatory milestone for this first
orbital launch from the UK.
We appreciate the efforts of the British regulatory agencies with
the support of the US Federal
Aviation Administration in this first-time licensing process, as
we strive in our respective roles to ensure a safe and successful
mission in the coming weeks.
Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said:
The first-ever spaceport licence granted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority is another
major milestone as we look forward to the first satellite launch
from UK soil this year.
Getting to this stage is a testament to the hard work from
partners across government and industry to make our launch
ambitions a reality and we are now tantalisingly close.
Establishing orbital launch capabilities in the UK is already bringing investment and
jobs into Cornwall and other communities across the UKand inspiring a new generation to join
our growing space sector.
Councillor Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for
economy, said:
What a fantastic milestone. We are now one step closer to
becoming the UK’s first
operational Spaceport and I speak for all of us at Cornwall
Council as we await with great excitement the next steps, looking
towards Launch UK with our
partners the UK Space Agency
and Virgin Orbit.
