Regular and potentially daily spaceplane flights could take off from Cornwall following an agreement between space transport firm Dawn Aerospace and Spaceport Cornwall. The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a project named the Dawn Aerospace Suborbital Horizontal UK Launch Programme (Dash UK).
Project leaders stated that Dash UK would enable Dawn Aerospace's Aurora unmanned 5m (16.4ft) long spaceplane to operate from Spaceport Cornwall's base at Cornwall Airport Newquay. The Aurora spaceplane is a reusable, rocket-powered vehicle capable of reaching altitudes of up to 100km (62 miles) and speeds exceeding Mach 3.7.
Spaceport Cornwall indicated that the spacecraft, which could carry a load of up to 15kg (33lbs), is designed for quick turnarounds, potentially allowing it to go into space "twice a day". The spacecraft could support commercial, defence, scientific, atmospheric research, and technology demonstration missions, with Dash UK also exploring microgravity research, high-altitude testing, and advanced aerospace missions.