Satellite launcher lands in south west

VIDEO: Virgin Orbit arrives at Spaceport

Cosmic Girl, Virgin Orbit’s aircraft which will launch satellites into space from Spaceport Cornwall touched down in Newquay this evening ahead of the first launch from the UK. The historic moment was witnessed by crowds who cheered as the 747 jet landed just after 6.30pm.

There were cheers as the aircraft touched down and the US crew was given a heroes’ welcome as they stepped off the plane and into Spaceport Cornwall with staff from the facility visibly overcome with emotion as they saw the arrival. A launch window for the first launch from Spaceport Cornwall opens at the end of this month and eight small satellites have been prepared for that maiden voyage from Newquay.

Spaceport Cornwall is a horizontal launch site with modified aircraft like Cosmic Girl set to take off from the site at Cornwall Airport Newquay with rocket launchers attached to the planes which can then propel small satellites into orbit.

The spaceport is the first in the UK and has partnered with Virgin Orbit which will be the first operator to use the facility, utilising its LauncherOne system to launch satellites into space. Earlier this week the first satellites which will be loaded onto the first launch were being prepared at Spaceport Cornwall.

Among those witnessing this evening’s arrival were Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay; Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for the economy; and Matt Archer from the UK Space Agency. There were also representatives from Virgin Orbit, Cornwall Airport Newquay, and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

Spaceport Cornwall staff also gathered to witness the occasion, joined by their families so that they could share in their achievements.

Mr Archer, commercial space director at the UK Space Agency, said it was an important moment for Cornwall and the UK. “This is the end of what has been a very long journey and a lot of work that has gone on here at Spaceport Cornwall, the Space Agency and in the background in the Government including the Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority and many others. It is a real triumph of what can be achieved.

“Whilst it is the end of this project there will be the first launch which is set to provide more opportunities for businesses across the UK. There has been major investment in the infrastructure here at Spaceport Cornwall and the development of the integrated satellite facility and the other facilities here.

“A major part of the project was to establish the capabilities for a sustainable and successful launch site and that has been done. We are really pleased that we will now be able to develop the UK space sector even more.”

Mr Double said: “It is an exciting day for me personally after eight years of championing the potential of Spaceport Cornwall and just seeing Cosmic Girl arriving here is a very special moment. Now it really feels like it is going to happen.

“The Government has said they want 10 per cent of the global space sector in the UK and I think the only way to achieve that is to have launch capabilities like we now have here at Spaceport Cornwall. The Government has massively supported this to get us over the line to this moment, despite the turmoil in Westminster and we will continue to get that support.

“This is about putting Cornwall right at the forefront of the space industry with the launch of the first satellites from European soil right here in Cornwall. That creates a huge opportunity here in Cornwall.

“I fully expect we will see other businesses wanting to come to be a part of the space sector and that will create good, well paid jobs here in Cornwall. A big part of this for me personally has been out young people here in Cornwall, inspiring them  and giving them aspirations to have a career in space, technology and engineering and knowing they can get those qualifications in STEM subjects and then get good, highly paid jobs here in Cornwall.”

Cllr Gardner added: “It is absolutely brilliant for the council to have backed this from the start. There were a lot of calculated risks when we backed the spaceport and it is an eight-year project which has come to fruition. A lot of the councillors and officers who have had faith in this should be proud that it has got to this stage.

“People say that nobody has vision in Cornwall, what could show more vision than sending satellites into space? It is an exciting moment for Cornwall and shows what can be done here.

“As a Newquay councillor and former mayor I am particularly proud to have Spaceport Cornwall here. My daughter goes to school in Newquay and for her and her classmates to be able to see the take off and landings from their school will inspire them to want to work in the space industry right here in Cornwall.”