Sir Richard Branson has expressed his strong desire to launch Virgin Galactic spaceflights from UK soil, a move that has been met with enthusiasm by Spaceport Cornwall officials. Currently operating from New Mexico, Virgin Galactic offers commercial spaceflights at a cost of approximately £356,000 per ticket, with up to two months of checks required between missions.
Branson, speaking via video link from his Necker Island residence, revealed that discussions were already underway with Italian authorities to establish a spaceport in Italy and suggested that similar talks with the UK government could be on the horizon. “I would dearly love to have one in the UK,” Branson stated at the Space-Comm Expo in London.
Since its first commercial flight in June 2023, Virgin Galactic has successfully conducted 12 crewed missions, providing paying passengers with breathtaking views of Earth’s curvature and a short period of weightlessness. Branson highlighted plans to ramp up operations, estimating that in two years, the company could send 700 people into space annually. He also noted that a new spacecraft in development would be capable of flying twice a week, potentially reducing costs over time.
Spaceport Cornwall, based at Newquay Airport, is the only operational UK site licensed for horizontal space launches. Ross Hulbert, head of engagement at the spaceport, welcomed the prospect of working with Virgin Galactic, stating: “We have the infrastructure, capability, and regulatory expertise to support their operations and are ready to explore how we could facilitate such a mission.”
The UK government and space industry leaders have shown interest in supporting Branson’s ambitions. Dr. Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency (UKSA), responded positively to Branson’s comments, emphasizing the agency’s willingness to collaborate with Virgin Galactic and UK spaceports to make the vision a reality.
Matt Archer, the UKSA’s launch director, acknowledged that Virgin Galactic prefers launching over land rather than water, though he suggested that spaceflights from Cornwall could follow coastal routes. Meanwhile, Spaceport Cornwall continues to be a focal point for UK space activities, despite the failure of Virgin Orbit’s 2023 satellite launch attempt, which resulted in the company shutting down.
The UK is rapidly expanding its space industry, with SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland becoming the country’s second licensed spaceport and the first for vertical rocket launches. Additional spaceports in Sutherland and the Western Isles are under development for suborbital missions, positioning Britain in a competitive race with Norway for Europe’s first orbital launch.
The UK government has been actively investing in the space sector, with British firms securing European Space Agency (ESA) contracts worth £80 million more than the UK’s contributions. Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle hailed this as a “resounding vote of confidence” in Britain’s space ambitions.
Professor Brian Cox, speaking at the Space-Comm Expo, suggested that the UK could play a key role in the development of future space stations. “The UK has the capability to build space station modules; it’s about the investment,” he said.
With the UK space sector employing 52,000 people and generating an annual income of £18.9 billion, Branson’s ambitions to bring Virgin Galactic flights to Britain align with the country’s broader aspirations to become a leading player in commercial space travel.
