Cornwall's space industry being represented in Belfast

Cornwall's space industry is being represented at this years UK Space Conference in Belfast.

Spaceport Cornwall are discussing plans for future launches from the UK - but say they're a long way off from another launch from Newquay.

In January, Virgin Orbit had sought to complete the first satellite launch from UK soil, but the firm's LauncherOne rocket failed to reach orbit.

Spaceport Cornwall say their priorities include continued outreach programmes with young people and working with other UK spaceports for future launches - like in Scotland.

Head of Engagement Ross Hulbert said: "We're working with operators who might only return to Cornwall - so will launch vertically, probably from the United States, back to Newquay and have exciting payloads onboard which we can then get off and put into our facilities.

"The business model for Cornwall was always to have relatively infrequent launch, so Virgin were only ever talking about launching once or twice a year, but it was to use the excitement that created to attract businesses onto site."

Ross will be chairing a panel at the UK Space Conference today: "There's probably 10-15 businesses that have come up from Cornwall. We have our own stand, so we're representing Cornwall strongly.

"I'm chairing an industry session on launch in the UK. As well as the UK Space Agency, the other people on that panel are Scottish operators.

"It's a little bit of looking back for us over the lessons learned from our first launch campaign in January and helping bang the drum for the general UK and supporting our partners as they get ready launch."

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