Spaceport Cornwall is preparing to host launches by Virgin Orbit. Photo: Spaceport Cornwall

Spaceport Cornwall is publishing a “Sustainability Impact Report and Action Plan” as it prepares for Virgin Orbit’s planned launch from the spaceport this summer. The spaceport shared details of the report and an action plan on Tuesday, calling it the first of its kind for a spaceport.

The report focuses on five key areas where launch from Cornwall could have a negative environmental effect. It details the current expected impact, the target to be achieved in order to mitigate this impact, and how this will be reached. The five areas of impact are: carbon emissions, biodiversity, marine environment, on-site facilities and space debris.

Spaceport Cornwall is on a mission to become the world’s most responsible and ethical gateway to space and said this report will be the first key step on that journey. Historically, Spaceport Cornwall said not much has been done about the impact of launch and it is seeking to change that, along with launch partners Virgin Orbit. With the emissions from the horizontal launch technology already significantly less than vertical launch, the spaceport is committing to negate the impact and reach carbon neutrality by 2030. Virgin Orbit committed to offsetting launch emissions in the short term through the purchase of UK Domestic Woodland Carbon Units.

“We believe transparency and openness need to be a priority in our industry, because the impacts and outcomes affect us all. That’s why we are calling for a steering group to help us further this report — we’re committing to do things differently – to show the world that space launch can be transparent and to change things for the better. Our aim is to report on our commitments and impacts every year in a way that is accessible and meaningful for everyone. This is just the beginning and we are looking forward to leading the way,” Melissa Thorpe, head of Spaceport Cornwall, said in a statement.