Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay has welcomed the announcement today by Science Minister Chris Skidmore and UK Space Agency that the Government is providing more than £300,000 towards developing spaceport plans in Cornwall, as part of the government’s spaceflight programme, LaunchUK.
This funding is on top of the up to £7.85 million the government intends to invest in developing facilities and operational capabilities at Spaceport Cornwall with Virgin Orbit.
The announcement includes £306,480 to Cornwall Council for an Accelerated Business Development and Research Project at Spaceport Cornwall, supporting its ambition to be a centre for future flight technologies.
Commenting, Steve said:
“Today’s announcement is great news, and comes hot on the heels of the decision by Cornwall Council’s Cabinet to back Spaceport Cornwall with funding last week.”
“Today’s funding goes to providing exactly the sort of high tech, well paid jobs that Spaceport Cornwall will bring to our Duchy, boosting our economy now and for future generations.”
Commenting, Science Minister Chris Skidmore said:
“Our space sector is incredibly strong and productive, with innovative firms and the UK’s world-class university researchers playing a leading role in the new space age.”
“A truly strategic approach to space is needed now more than ever and we must develop our national space capabilities, while strengthening our international partnerships, to take full advantage of opportunities like satellite launch from the UK and defend against serious threats such as space weather.”