Spaceport Cornwall and Dawn Aerospace partner for reusable spaceplane program

Spaceport Cornwall and Dawn Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the establishment of the Dawn Aerospace Suborbital Horizontal UK (DASH UK) launch program. This partnership aims to develop a new UK capability for rapid, reusable access to suborbital space, microgravity research, and high-altitude testing.

The program features the Aurora spaceplane, a rocket-powered vehicle capable of reaching altitudes of 100 km and speeds exceeding Mach 3.7. Unlike traditional launch systems, the Aurora is designed to take off and land on conventional runways with a rapid turnaround time of as little as four hours. This capability could allow for multiple missions in a single day, carrying payloads of up to 15 kg and providing over two minutes of microgravity.

The collaboration will assess the operational, regulatory, and commercial requirements to establish DASH UK as a routine service from Cornwall Airport Newquay. The initiative supports the development of the site as a year-round hub for commercial, defense, scientific, and atmospheric research missions.