Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • CAA launches consultation on environmental effects of first UK space launch from Cornwall

Space

CAA launches consultation on environmental effects of first UK space launch from Cornwall

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a consultation for the public and businesses to have their say on the assessment of environmental effects made by both Virgin Orbit and Spaceport Cornwall ahead of the proposed launch in Newquay.

Above: CAA's Gatwick offices.
Copyright CAA

To launch, Spaceport Cornwall must have a spaceport operator licence and Virgin Orbit must be issued a launch operator licence by the Civil Aviation Authority.

As part of their licence applications, the organisations have submitted an Assessment of Environmental Effects for public consultation. The assessment gives the organisations the opportunity to show they have considered all environmental effects and demonstrate measures they will take to avoid, mitigate, or offset any significant risks.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

The consultation marks a milestone in the Civil Aviation Authority’s work to enable new space activities to operate from within the UK.

The Civil Aviation Authority will now consider the Assessment of Environmental Effects and the responses to the consultation as part of the licence application process.

Virgin Orbit must also obtain a marine licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which includes another public consultation that is currently running in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority.

If the licence applications are successful, it brings the UK one step closer to its first ever space launch from UK soil.

Tim Johnson, Policy Director for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This is the first time the Civil Aviation Authority has consulted on an organisation’s environmental assessment around a space launch.

“As the UK’s space regulator, it’s important we review environmental effects before issuing licences, and we are working closely with the Marine Management Organisation to make sure Newquay residents and businesses’ voices are heard before making any final decisions.”

Trudi Wakelin, Director of Licensing, Marine Planning and Global Marine at the Marine Management Organisation added: “When determining whether a marine licence is issued, MMO consults with primary advisers, interested parties and members of the public. The consultation covers navigational and environmental responses and allows MMO to consider views and feedback to assist in determining a licence application.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

“We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to contribute to the consultation and help MMO with its ambition to protect our seas”

Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall said: “We are thrilled to be taking the next step in our licence process. We started this project with the aim of changing the conversations around the impact of the space industry - promoting ownership and action.

“This is just the beginning and we hope to set the bar for responsible launch in the UK.”

The Assessment of Environmental Effects consultation can be found here .

The MMO Marine Licence consultation can be found on the MMO Public Register using application reference MLA/2022/00134.
 

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
UK launches tender for space debris removal

Space

UK launches tender for space debris removal

3 July 2025

The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the nation’s first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit.

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing today announced Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately. Parker has served as interim leader of the Boeing business unit since September 2024.

UK students to launch international space mission

Space

UK students to launch international space mission

3 July 2025

A team of students from the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton are working to fit equipment they designed, made and tested to a suborbital launch vehicle which aims to launch 900km into space.

Airbus-built Sentinel-4 launched onboard MTG weather satellite

Space

Airbus-built Sentinel-4 launched onboard MTG weather satellite

2 July 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have confirmed the successful launch of the Airbus-built Sentinel-4, a cutting-edge air quality monitoring instrument hosted on the third generation Meteosat (MTG-S1) weather satellite.

Advertisement
Teledyne
Teledyne CIS120 sensors launch on GOSAT-GW

Space

Teledyne CIS120 sensors launch on GOSAT-GW

1 July 2025

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, a provider of advanced imaging solutions, has confirmed that two CIS120 sensors designed and manufactured by Teledyne Space Imaging will play a major part in the third in a series of Japanese climate change and Earth observation satellite missions.

Expleo’s science-based climate action targets approved by SBTi

Aerospace Defence Space

Expleo’s science-based climate action targets approved by SBTi

27 June 2025

Expleo's near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Advertisement
ODU RT