Cornwall's space race bid has been given a 拢20million boost.
The funding will help the county become home to Europe鈥檚 first horizontal launch spaceport and could be operational by the early 2020s.
Cornwall Council has pledged 拢12 million funding, subject to approval by full council, with 拢7.85 million from the 海角视频 Space Agency.
A further contribution of 拢500,000 will come from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said:聽 鈥淪pace is not only about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, it is a rapidly growing sector of our economy which plays a key role in our modern Industrial Strategy, promotes Global Britain and ensures our national security.
鈥淭hese exciting plans from Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit to make horizontal launch a reality from Cornwall will help further our position as a leader in the New Space Age.
鈥淎longside our commitment to the proposed vertical launch spaceport in Sutherland, this is making the 海角视频 the most attractive place in Europe for those looking to Earth鈥檚 orbit and beyond.鈥
Spaceport Cornwall at Newquay will be used to launch satellites into orbit and could send fee-paying passengers on sub-orbital flights.
The funding will allow Spaceport Cornwall and US launch operator Virgin Orbit, which is also investing an additional 拢2.5 million, to develop facilities and operational capabilities that would enable small satellite launch from Cornwall in the early 2020s.
The US State Department has already approved a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) allowing detailed technical discussions and strategic planning to commence.
Virgin Orbit has been undertaking successful test flights in America and plans to operate its LauncherOne system and Cosmic Girl carrier aircraft from Cornwall Airport Newquay. A maiden US launch is expected later this year.
Dan Hart, Chief Executive聽 of Virgin Orbit, said: 鈥淲e are very proud to play a role in bringing space launch back to Britain - with a revolutionary new level of flexibility and responsiveness. The Virgin Orbit team has now demonstrated every major assembly of our LauncherOne system and are within arm鈥檚 reach of bringing to the 海角视频. We鈥檙e thankful for the leadership of Minister Skidmore, MP Steve Double, Cornwall Council, the LEP and the 海角视频 Space Agency in making this partnership a reality.鈥
Spaceport Cornwall could create 150 jobs and enable the 海角视频 to compete for a share of the global market for launching small satellites worth 拢3.9 billion to 2030.
The funding is subject to business case and final approvals, including from Cornwall Council later this year.
Julian German, Leader of Cornwall Council, said: 鈥淐ornwall is the birthplace of innovation and technology and space is a key part of a 21st century economy.
鈥淲ith assets like Spaceport Cornwall, world-class mission control facilities at Goonhilly Earth Station and superb digital connectivity, Cornwall can play a vital role in the growth of the global space economy.鈥
Mark Duddridge, chairman of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership said the announcement is the culmination of five years鈥 hard work and will be transformative for Cornwall.
He said: "It puts us and the 海角视频 at the heart of the international satellite launch market, offering affordable access to space, and will inspire a generation."
