UK’s first space launch will go ahead at Spaceport Cornwall as licence awarded

THE UK’s first space launch will go ahead at Spaceport Cornwall after a licence was awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The converted airport in Newquay is expected to be granted the licence by regulators as early as Wednesday according to multiple sources.

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The first mission is expected to be conducted by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit company in the coming weeks.

A repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 aircraft named Cosmic Girl and Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket travelled from California in the US to Spaceport Cornwall last week.

Their mission has been given the title Start Me Up in tribute to British band The Rolling Stones.

Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the 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.”

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is also expected to announce it is in the process of granting a second licence to launch spacecraft from a base in the Shetland Islands. 

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk