Spaceport Cornwall, alongside Cornwall Airport Newquay, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wholeship Ltd, which operates the National Drone Hub at Predannack, near Helston.
The proposed collaboration supports the spaceport’s ambitions to make Cornwall Europe’s leading Future Air and Space solution, enabling the combined and coordinated use of facilities and expertise across all three sites to create a unique future air and space offer in Cornwall, from testing through to operations.
A key focus of the consortium is to position the UK as a world leading location for both crewed and uncrewed technology, working with partners such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department for Transport (DfT) to influence future airspace regulation.
With access to over 5500 square kilometres of segregated airspace, the partnership will provide the opportunity for UK flight trials of sub-scale air systems and test operating procedures to be conducted at the National Drone Hub, enabling Spaceport Cornwall to gather evidence in support of future operational flights from Newquay.
The MoU highlights a number of other potential areas for collaboration, including the ability for Spaceport Cornwall to demonstrate Cornwall’s combined future air and space offer to prospective customers and clients, and to investigate possible partnerships with UK industry and the Ministry of Defense (MoD).
Speaking about the agreement, Spaceport Cornwall’s Head of Engagement, Ross Hulbert, said, “The collaboration between Spaceport Cornwall and Wholeship Ltd is an exciting opportunity that provides the facilities, skills and operational functions needed for Cornwall to be the driving force in the future of flight in Europe. ”
Minister for Aviation and Space Mike Kane said: "In the spirit of innovation and collaboration, the strategic collaboration between Spaceport Cornwall and the National Drone Hub marks a significant leap forward for the future of aviation and space.
“By uniting expertise and resources, this partnership not only establishes Cornwall as a world-leading location for groundbreaking aerospace technology, but also paves the way for airspace modernisation and regulation – ensuring our skies are evolving with the times.”
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