Spaceport Cornwall partners with National Drone Hub to expand uncrewed systems testing

Spaceport Cornwall, the UK’s first licensed spaceport, has begun work on a major new collaboration with the National Drone Hub aimed at creating a unique testing environment for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), further strengthening Cornwall’s role in the UK’s future air and space ecosystem.

The National Drone Hub, operated by WholeShip in partnership with the Royal Navy, is the UK’s first Civil Aviation Authority-accredited drone test site. It provides access to a 320-hectare facility featuring four runways and more than 8,000 square kilometres of segregated airspace off the Lizard Peninsula. This extensive maritime airspace already supports comprehensive testing and evaluation of uncrewed systems in a tightly controlled environment.

Under the new project, Spaceport Cornwall, based at Cornwall Airport Newquay, will build on these existing capabilities by establishing a Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework at Newquay. SORA approval is a key safety requirement for more complex and advanced drone operations.

Supported by funding from Cornwall Space Cluster, the initiative could unlock access to segregated airspace off the north coast of Cornwall from Newquay, enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) test and evaluation activity. The scale of the airspace would support operations by larger and higher-speed uncrewed vehicles, including platforms capable of supersonic flight.

Together, the two Cornish sites would create a complementary and highly capable testing environment, supporting the development, validation and certification of next-generation autonomous systems, from small-scale drones through to advanced uncrewed aircraft.

Amy Smith, Managing Director at Cornwall Airport Newquay, said the partnership brings together two organisations with a track record of innovation. “This joint project combines the expertise of two pioneering aerospace teams in Cornwall delivering national firsts in space and future air systems,” she said.

Helen Stembridge, Director at WholeShip, added: “We are delighted to be working with Spaceport Cornwall and Cornwall Airport Newquay to support and develop this dual-use opportunity, benefiting the airport, the county and the wider region.”

Gail Eastaugh, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Cornwall Space Cluster, said the collaboration reinforces Cornwall’s growing aerospace credentials. “This offers an incredible opportunity to further cement Cornwall’s place at the forefront of UK space and aerospace operations, and Cornwall Space Cluster is proud to support this groundbreaking project,” she added.

The initiative highlights Cornwall’s emergence as a key hub for advanced aerospace technologies and aligns with Spaceport Cornwall’s wider ambition to become Europe’s future air and space solution, providing flexible, resilient and safe access to space while supporting innovation across the aerospace sector.