UK Space Facilities Spaceports

Spaceports

Several sites in the UK have been designated as suitable as either horizontal (air-launch) or vertical-launch spaceports. Two sites, Newquay and Sutherland are in the planning phase, but others such as Shetland, Prestwick and others still aspire to provide a launch facility. We give brief details of some of them here where the teams have been willing to reveal plans.

Planned & Candidate Spaceports

Prestwick Spaceport
Prestwick Spaceport will operate from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, a 24/7 airport with two major runways 12/30 and 03/21 of 2,986m and 1,905m respectively. Prestwick Spaceport aims to establish itself as a horizontal space launch facility in Scotland.
Spaceflight Academy
Spaceflight Academy Ltd is a commercial spaceflight and aeromedical training company supporting activities for the commercial space industry and providing ancillary training, including space education.
Spaceport Cornwall
Spaceport Cornwall is the UK’s Horizontal Launch solution, utilising the state-of-the-art facilities at Cornwall Airport Newquay and Goonhilly Earth Station. A partnership between Cornwall Council and Virgin Orbit will result in a first launch by 2021.
Spaceport Shetland
Shetland Space Centre is a privately-owned company providing support to in orbit satellite operations. This support includes vertical launch of satellites and ground stations for telemetry, data download, command & control & space situational awareness.