Spaceport

Spaceport Cornwall

Cornwall Airport Newquay, England – 50.44° N, 4.995° W

Horizontal launchLicensed – active as a test and consultancy hub

Operator: Cornwall Council, with Goonhilly Earth Station and the UK Space Agency (opens in new tab)
Status: Licensed – active as a test and consultancy hub
Launch type: Horizontal
Coordinates: 50.44° N, 4.995° W

Background

Spaceport Cornwall became the UK's first licensed spaceport in November 2022 and hosted the UK's first orbital launch attempt in January 2023, when Virgin Orbit's modified Boeing 747 'Cosmic Girl' released a LauncherOne rocket that failed to reach orbit. Virgin Orbit ceased operations shortly afterwards. Since then, Cornwall has pivoted towards consultancy work and drone testing – including a partnership with the National Drone Hub – while holding discussions with prospective launch operators including Sierra Space.

Rockets & partners

Virgin Orbit LauncherOne
2023 launch attempt, unsuccessful
Sierra Space
In discussion

Related launches

Launches from Spaceport Cornwall will be listed here once scheduled. See the full UK launch schedule for everything on the manifest.

Where it is

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