Spaceport Cornwall’s progress has been put back by at least three months due to the coronavirus.

The setback for the spaceport, which will be based at Newquay Airport, was revealed in an online forum about the impact that coronavirus could have on the Cornish economy and how it will recover.

Melissa Thorpe, head of engagement at Spaceport Cornwall, provided the update in response to a question from one of the people watching the debate.

The delay is due to the need for the spaceport to get a licence to operate from the government.

There is also a need for spaceflight regulations to be put in place with the UK Space Agency and UK Government.

Under the proposals Spaceport Cornwall would operate as a horizontal launch site.

This would allow for small satellites to be launched into orbit from modified aeroplanes.

The aircraft would take off and land in the same way as standard aeroplanes. There are no plans for vertical, rocket-type launches.

Spaceport Cornwall has a deal with Virgin Orbit which has developed a launcher system for putting small satellites into space.

It was announced this week that full testing of the system is due to take place next week in the US.

Under the current plans it is hoped that the first commercial launch from Spaceport Cornwall could take place in September 2021.

The development of Spaceport Cornwall has not been without controversy with some criticising the environmental impact that it could have.

And there has been concern at the decision of Cornwall Council to invest £12million in the project.

When the council met to agree the funding there were protests from environmentalists including supporters of Extinction Rebellion against the plans.

However those behind Spaceport Cornwall have said that with small satellites already being built in the UK they are currently having to be shipped elsewhere in the world to be launched. They claim that by having a spaceport in this country will reduce the environmental impact.

Supporters have also stated that by using the existing infrastructure at Newquay Airport reduces the cost and impact that it could have.