Reusable spaceplanes could soon take off from Newquay

It comes after a new agreement signed with space transportation company Dawn Aerospace

Spacesport Cornwall and Dawn have announced a memorandum of understanding between the two, which would explore the possibility of launching the Aurora spaceplane from Cornwall.

Aurora is designed to reach the edge of space with altitudes of up to 100km and turn around for another flight in as little as four hours. Unlike a rocket though, it takes off and lands on a normal runway - meaning it can use the airport's existing infrastructure. 

The pair say the establishment of DASH UK (Dawn Aerospace Suborbital Horizontal UK Launch Programme) at Spaceport would create a new UK capability for rapid, reusable access to suborbital space, microgravity research, high-altitude testing and advanced aerospace missions. The collaboration will assess the operational, regulatory and commercial requirements for developing DASH UK as a routine service. 

The partnership comes as part of a larger ambition to build Cornwall into a world-leading future air and space testing and development ecosystem, bringing together space access, aviation, aerospace R&D and advanced technology development. 

Both Spaceport and Dawn say the collaboration reflects the direction set by the UK Space Strategy, which identifies access to space as a priority capability and places greater emphasis on commercial growth, resilient national capability and collaboration with international partners. 

By creating an environment in which reusable spaceplanes and other future flight technologies can be tested, demonstrated and operated, it’s said Cornwall could support the UK's ambition to build a stronger and more competitive space sector while attracting investment, skills and high-value R&D into the region.

Ross Hulbert, Head of Engagement at Spaceport Cornwall: "This MoU represents an exciting opportunity to bring a genuinely transformational aerospace capability to the UK. The Aurora spaceplane offers a more responsive and reusable approach to accessing the upper atmosphere and near-space environment, opening new possibilities for research organisations, technology developers, defence users and commercial customers. Together with Dawn Aerospace, we aim to establish Cornwall as the UK's gateway for routine suborbital flight."

Stefan Powell, CEO at Dawn Aerospace, said: "Our vision is to make space access as routine as aviation. Partnering with Spaceport Cornwall through this MoU is an important step towards bringing that capability to the UK, enabling customers to fly more frequently, iterate faster and accelerate innovation."

The memorandum also provides a framework for both organisations to work together on customer engagement, regulatory pathways and future operational planning. 

For Spaceport Cornwall, the agreement sits within a broader programme to develop Newquay as a year-round location for future air and space activity, from horizontal launch and suborbital flight to technology testing, research, payload return and other emerging aerospace capabilities.

In 2023, the first attempt to launch satellites from UK soil ended in failure after a Virgin Orbit rocket, carried into the air by a jumbo jet from Cornwall Airport Newquay, failed to reach orbit.