Plans to expand the UK’s spaceflight capabilities are gathering momentum following a new partnership aimed at getting reusable suborbital launches off the ground in Cornwall.
Spaceport Cornwall has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dawn Aerospace to investigate establishing the DASH UK service at Cornwall Airport Newquay.
The proposed programme would use Dawn Aerospace’s reusable Aurora spaceplane to support scientific research, high-altitude testing, commercial missions and defence applications.
Designed to take off and land on conventional runways, Aurora aims to reach altitudes of up to 100 kilometres and speeds exceeding Mach 3.7.
The rocket-powered vehicle could carry payloads of up to 15 kilograms, providing more than two minutes of microgravity for research and technology development.
With a potential turnaround time of just four hours, the spaceplane could eventually support multiple missions in a single day.
The partnership will examine the commercial, regulatory and operational requirements for establishing regular services from Newquay.
It also supports wider ambitions to develop Cornwall into a centre for aerospace innovation, attracting investment, creating skilled employment opportunities and strengthening the UK’s space sector.
Stefan Powell, chief executive 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.”
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.”
Dawn Aerospace expects its full-performance Aurora spaceplane to begin flying in 2027.
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