There are significant opportunities for the growing UK space sector as commercial space activity increases globally and the United States leads international efforts to return humans to the Moon by 2024.
The UK Space Agency and Cornwall Council intend to make available up to £20 million for Spaceport Cornwall and U.S. launch operator Virgin Orbit to develop facilities and operational capabilities that would enable small satellite launch from Cornwall in the early 2020s. This investment remains subject to business case approval processes, including from Cornwall Council later this year.
The funding would consist of up to £12 million from Cornwall Council and up to £7.85 million from the UK Space Agency, including a contribution of £0.5 million from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
Spaceport Cornwall could create 150 jobs and enable the UK to compete for a share of the global market for launching small satellites worth a potential £3.9 billion to 2030. Launch from the UK will be an opportunity to inspire children and young people to take up careers in science, engineering or even as space entrepreneurs.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said that space is not only about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, it is a rapidly growing sector of our economy which plays a key role in the UK's modern Industrial Strategy, promotes Global Britain and ensures national security. These exciting plans from Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit to make horizontal launch a reality from Cornwall will help further the UK's position as a leader in the New Space Age. In tandem to this commitment to the proposed vertical launch spaceport in Sutherland, this is making the UK the most attractive place in Europe for those looking to Earth’s orbit and beyond.
Artistic rendition of spaceport takeoff by Virgin Orbit.
The UK Government is working with the United States to establish the necessary technical and legal safeguards for US space launch vehicle operations from UK launch sites. The US State Department has already approved a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) allowing detailed technical discussions and strategic planning to commence. This would allow Virgin Orbit, which is also investing around £2.5 million in the project, to operate its LauncherOne system and Cosmic Girl carrier aircraft from Cornwall Airport Newquay. A maiden US launch is expected later this year.
Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, added that the company is proud to play a role in bringing space launch back to Britain — with a revolutionary new level of flexibility and responsiveness. The Virgin Orbit team has now demonstrated every major assembly of the company's LauncherOne system and are within arm’s reach of bringing to the UK. The company is thankful for the leadership of Minister Skidmore, MP Steve Double, Cornwall Council, the LEP and the UK Space Agency in making this partnership a reality.
Last month Science Minister, Chris Skidmore, visited Cornwall Airport Newquay to meet some of those involved in Cornwall’s thriving space sector and hear more about their ambitious plans for horizontal spaceflight.
Julian German, Leader of Cornwall Council, said that Cornwall is the birthplace of innovation and technology and space is at the heart of our 21st century economy. With assets such as Spaceport Cornwall, world-class mission control facilities at Goonhilly Earth Station and superb digital connectivity, Cornwall will play a vital role in the growth of the global space economy.
Mark Duddridge, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, added that this announcement is the culmination of five years’ hard work and will be transformative for Cornwall. It puts Cornwall and the UK at the heart of the international satellite launch market, offering affordable access to space, and will inspire a generation. The LEP have has committed a further £0.5m to the funding package as a Growth Deal investment into Spaceport Infrastructure.
As well as opportunities, space also presents threats. Space weather occurs when the Sun sporadically ejects material and radiation which can be hazardous to astronauts and disrupt electrical infrastructure, communications, aviation and satellite navigation.
The UK Space Agency is providing €8 (£7) million funding for leading scientists at UCL to develop a new instrument — a ‘plasma analyzer’ — to monitor space weather. When placed in space between the Earth and the Sun, this would give early warnings to allow industry and space operators to take corrective action to protect assets such as power grids.
The UK Space Agency and European Space Agency (ESA) will collaborate closely on science, space and ground systems technology with NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. In the next five years NOAA and ESA, with support from the UK, are planning to launch two complementary space weather monitoring spacecraft.
The UK can use its space capabilities to promote security, prosperity and science, as well as trade, international partnerships and global influence.
A new National Space Council, to be established later this year, will provide strategic leadership on space across government, coordinating all aspects of the UK’s space strategy, investment and use of space through a new National Space Framework.
Science Minister Chris Skidmore noted that as the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing approaches, these announcements demonstrate the UK government’s commitment to space. Satellite technology is crucial to everyone's daily lives, for observing the Earth and gathering vital climate change data, and the space industry is growing rapidly with 42,000 jobs across the country. Establishing a National Space Council is a landmark occasion and will help put space at the heart of government policy.
The UK will remain a leading member of the European Space Agency and is also considering a national investment program to forge new international partnerships, position the sector to access more than £70 billion of emerging commercial opportunities and foster crucial industrial capabilities.
Andy Green, President of UKSpace, remarked that the Government’s announcement to establish a National Space Council is welcomed. Around the world, governments act as key customers, enablers and regulators of space. The creation of a National Space Council is critical step to a more joined up approach across government to support the growth of the UK space sector and mirroring the approach taken in the United States.
