MEMBERS of the public have called on Cornwall Council not to dismiss space tourism which they say could provide a boost to the economy and new opportunities.

Hundreds of people have responded with comments about the possibility of space tourism operating from the planned Spaceport Cornwall after the leader of Cornwall Council said this week that he would tell Sir Richard Branson that it would not be an option.

It came after councillors raised questions at this week’s full council meeting following reports in the national press that Sir Richard had hinted that his Virgin Galactic could follow Virgin Orbit in operating from Spaceport Cornwall.

Virgin Orbit is a key partner in Spaceport Cornwall and is planning to launch from the spaceport in 2022 using its modified jumbo jet which launches small satellites into orbit.

However, Virgin Galactic is working on another system which would enable space tourists to fly into orbit.

In a newspaper interview Sir Richard explained how he was looking forward to Virgin Orbit launching from Cornwall and hinted that Virgin Galactic could follow.

The Virgin entrepreneur also said that Virgin Orbit was planning to do something in Cornwall this summer to tie in with the G7 summit which is being held in Carbis Bay in June.

Some councillors urged the council’s Cabinet to make it clear that there are no plans for space tourism in Cornwall and one called for Sir Richard to be given that message.

John Fitter, councillor for St Mawgan and Colan, where Spaceport Cornwall is located, said: “If we were to entertain this it would be quite ridiculous and send out the wrong message to those people in Cornwall who could possibly be suffering on below the minimum wage and in poverty and allow people who have got vast millions of pounds to spend to go up to space for half an hour and come back down again.

“It would send out the wrong message, Cornwall is not about that.”

However, responding to the story, many seemed to disagree and said that the council would be unwise to pass up such an opportunity without considering it in full.

by Richard Whitehouse, Local Democracy Reporter