Rocket plane travel space: Cornwall deal eyes daily flights
Spaceport Cornwall and Dawn Aerospace have signed an agreement to explore operating Aurora flights from Newquay. The reusable rocket-powered aircraft is…
For Britain’s space sector, the proposed flights could offer a different route to conducting research and technology missions. Spaceport Cornwall and Dawn Aerospace have signed an agreement to explore basing the Aurora rocket plane at Newquay, where the companies say it could support missions into space.
The rocket plane travel space proposal centers on a reusable aircraft designed to take off and land on a conventional runway. The partners will assess what is needed to develop a routine service from Cornwall Airport Newquay; flights are not yet established.
The memorandum of understanding says Aurora could support commercial and defence missions, atmospheric research and technology demonstrations. Cornwall’s airport facilities would be assessed as a base for the proposed programme, called Dash UK.
Runway operations and rapid turnaround
Dawn Aerospace’s Aurora is designed to reach altitudes of up to 100km and speeds exceeding Mach 3.7, or roughly 2,839 miles per hour, according to Cornwall Live. The aircraft is intended to carry payloads of up to 15kg.
Unlike traditional launch systems, Aurora uses a conventional runway for takeoff and landing. Its design allows turnaround in as little as four hours, a feature that could enable multiple missions in a day, the report said.
That is the plan’s central operational claim. Cornwall Live reported the aircraft could potentially travel into space “twice in a day,” though the partners are still examining what a regular service would require.
Ross Hulbert, head of engagement at Spaceport Cornwall, described the agreement as “an exciting opportunity” for the UK. He said Aurora could provide a “more responsive and reusable approach” to accessing the upper atmosphere and near-space environment, opening 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,” Hulbert said.
What the Cornwall assessment will cover
Spaceport Cornwall and Dawn Aerospace will work together to assess the requirements for developing Dash UK as a routine service from Newquay. Cornwall Live reported that the spaceport’s licensed infrastructure and long runway are among the features being considered, alongside access to civilian and military aviation facilities.
The airport site could support commercial aviation, spaceflight and military operations from one location, according to the report. Cornwall’s network of aerospace, space and technology organisations is another factor cited in the proposed project.
For research groups and technology developers, a reusable aircraft operating from a runway could provide another way to conduct suborbital missions and test equipment. The agreement sets out an opportunity to investigate that model, not a confirmed timetable for regular flights or a final operating plan.
The aircraft has completed 64 test flights, and Dawn Aerospace plans to launch it fully next year, Cornwall Live reported. The partners’ next step is to assess what a routine Dash UK service from Newquay would require.
Source: cornwalllive.com
