4: Talking Net Zero episode 4 - Melissa Thorpe

Next-level collaboration as we go into space!  Melissa Thorpe is the Interim Head of Spaceport Cornwall, based at Newquay airport.  She chats with Sara Sloman about the project which involves Cornwall County Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Goonhilly Earth Station and Virgin Orbit. Due to go into operation next year, Melissa explains what horizontal satellite launch – the purpose of the programme – is and provides an overview of the Spaceport’s sustainability action plan. Given that county council declared its ‘Climate Emergency’ in January 2019, this was the first major project to go through after then. That process, says Melissa, “was quite an experience for us” and “completely changed our priorities.” As a result, the project wants to be the most-sustainable launch location in the world. And, it’s become the only spaceport in the World to publish its carbon impact assessment. Listen now to find out about this innovative and exciting project. You can also find out more at these links: Carbon Impact Assessment and project video: www.spaceportcornwall.com Virgin Orbit launch: Virgin Orbit Aces Second Launch Demo and Deploys NASA Payloads | Virgin Orbit   Twitter (project): @spacecornwall Twitter (Melissa Thorpe) @MelGoodSpace