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Question from Graham Smith, St
Mabyn
 
What are the prospects for
Newquay spaceport ever launching anything into orbit, including
Kernow Sat-1 promised by Boris Johnson in 2021? Please explain why
multiple subsequent promises of “imminent” horizontal
launches, including a crewed lunar mission this year, have all
turned out to be completely untrue.
 
A response was read to the
Committee by the Chairman:
 
The spaceport is part of the
overall Cornwall Airport Newquay, and currently the only
operational orbital spaceport in Europe. Cornwall Airport Limited
(CAL) runs both the airport and spaceport and would host any
potential future launch into space. CAL is in discussion with a
range of possible future horizontal launch providers but none are
ready to announce or commit to a launch date. Kernow Sat-1 was
built, and the original intention was for it to be launched by
Virgin Orbit. As that launch was not successful, discussions are
ongoing with potential future partners, but there are no definite
plans.
 
There have been no discussions
or plans involving a crewed lunar mission, and the Council has
previously ruled out space tourism from the site.
 
The speaker responded with a
supplementary question, as follows:
 
What
is the spaceport's marketing budget for the current financial year,
including staff costs?
 
The following response was
provided by the Chairman:
 
Spaceport Cornwall is a part of
Cornwall Airport Limited and does not have a separate marketing
budget.