VIRGIN ORBIT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Spaceport Cornwall’s ambitions have received a major setback following the news that Virgin Orbit has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Virgin Orbit was a key partner of Spaceport Cornwall and sole launch operator.

Virgin Orbit CEO, Dan Hart, said it would now concentrate on finding a buyer “to provide clarity on the future of the company to its customers, vendors, and employees”.

Louis Gardner, portfolio holder for the economy at Cornwall Council, which owns Spaceport Cornwall, said: “Our focus at Spaceport Cornwall is to continue to grow the space cluster in Cornwall, alongside progressing relationships with spaceflight operators.

“We remain the only licensed spaceport in the UK and our plan is to build on that position.”

Stand bookings are now being taken for the eleventh annual Cornwall Business Show.

The Cornwall Business Show will be returning to the Royal Cornwall Event Centre in Wadebridge on Thursday, October 12. Over the years, the business show has grown to become one of the leading events on the Cornish B2B calendar, attracting more than 100 stands and 1,500 visitors from across the south west.