Space

UK First Spaceport Could Be In The Coast Of Newquay, Cornwall

Elaine Hannah
First Posted: May 24, 2016 06:30 AM EDT

Newquay, Cornwall will not be only known as the surfing haven now but also can be England's top destination for space tourists. This is because it is named as the potential location for the UK first spaceport.

There are actually eight potential sites that were announced by ministers in 2014. Today, there are now six contenders. These include four in Scotland, Llanbedr Airport in Wales and in Newquay, Cornwall. The government has confirmed its support for the UK's first spaceport. This is where the aircraft will take off horizontally rather vertically will set to launch satellites and tourists into orbit, according to The Guardian.

Meanwhile, the Newquay, Cornwall is reported to be the frontrunner and might have the 50 million pounds investment to develop a launch site for spaceship on the North Cornwall coast. Its airport has the Aerohub, which is an aerospace Enterprise Zone. It also has one of the longest runways in the UK. This place makes it an ideal for launching rockets.

Mark Duddridge, the Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Sicily, Local Enterprise Partnership said that their proximity to the sea means aircraft can be over open water just seconds after take-off. He also added that the Aerohub Enterprise Zone has the Goon hilly Earth Station on the Lizard Peninsula. This has been utilized to relay live messages to students from British astronaut Tim Peake from the International Space Station, according to Sputnik News.

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