🇬🇧Newquay Spaceport
Newquay, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom
Country
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Region
Europe
Established
2021
Launches / Year
0-1
Coordinates
50.4406° N, 5.0008° W
About
Newquay Spaceport (Spaceport Cornwall) at Cornwall Airport Newquay is the UK's first horizontal-launch spaceport. It was the site of the first orbital launch attempt from UK soil when Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne flew from a Boeing 747 carrier aircraft in January 2023. The facility continues to develop as a hub for horizontal launch operations and space-related businesses.
Key Features
UK's first horizontal-launch spaceport facility
Long runway at Cornwall Airport Newquay supports carrier aircraft operations
Hosted Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne mission — first UK orbital launch attempt
Growing cluster of space industry companies and support services
Clear launch trajectories westward over the Atlantic Ocean
Rockets That Launch Here
Companies Operating Here
Orbit Types
Notable Launches
Virgin Orbit 'Start Me Up' (2023) — First orbital launch attempt from UK soil
Planned future horizontal launch missions from multiple providers
Site active for space industry development and testing