Spaceport Cornwall has said it is “saddened to announce” that its head will be leaving her position at the end of the month.

Melissa Quinn, joined the Spaceport team in its early stages, providing support for the UK Space Agency bid, and her departure marks the end of an era, as she has been an integral part of the Spaceport team since its inception in 2014.

She took over the head role in January 2021, and under her leadership the team achieved a historic milestone with the first-ever UK space launch in January 2023.

Cornwall Airport Newquay also secured the UK's first spaceport licence to make this possible.

Unfortunately the satellites failed to launch and the rocket reach its target orbit, despite a successful take-off, and at the start of April Richard Branson’s company Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy protection in the US after last-ditch funding efforts fell through.

However, both Cornwall Council and Spaceport Cornwall have spoken of their intention to “continue to grow the space cluster in Cornwall, alongside progressing relationships with spaceflight operators.”

Speaking of her decision to leave, Melissa said: “This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, and absolutely no reflection on Spaceport Cornwall, but a personal decision believing it is the right time to move on.

“It has been a huge challenge, professionally, and personally, to deliver this project, and I am incredibly proud of what my small dedicated team, and I have achieved.

“Mostly I am proud of our work with local young people, especially girls, inspiring them to get into STEAM careers, as well as challenge the status quo.

“With the Cabinet approval last week, I am leaving Spaceport Cornwall at the start of an exciting new chapter, and I will be cheering it on from the side lines.

“I want to say thank you to my team, my family, our partners and to the county of Cornwall for helping to deliver our purpose of Space for Good, and putting Cornwall on the world’s stage. Ad Astra.”

Cornwall Council recently approved the Space Sector Development Strategy which sets out the future direction of the project over the next two years.

Louis Gardner, portfolio holder for the economy at Cornwall Council, said: “I would like to thank Melissa personally for her dedication and leadership in making Spaceport Cornwall a reality - and in particularly the way in which her work has inspired thousands of young people to understand that an amazing career in space is something they can achieve right here in Cornwall.”

As an influential figure in the space industry, Melissa has championed Cornwall on a global stage. She has shared her expertise alongside prestigious organizations such as NASA, Space X, and the United Nations, advocating for increased transparency and consideration of the environmental and societal impacts of space launches.

Melissa spearheaded the Life Cycle Analysis initiative in collaboration with the University of Exeter and authored academic papers emphasizing the need for enhanced regulations regarding space debris mitigation.

Prior to her role as Head of Spaceport Cornwall, Melissa played a key role in the success of Cornwall Council's Aerohub project, securing Enterprise Zone status and providing support to multiple aerospace businesses across Cornwall.

While Melissa will be leaving her current role, she remains committed to the space industry. She will be announcing a new position in the coming weeks, further contributing to the advancement of space exploration.

Plans are underway to fill the vacant Head of Spaceport role over the summer.

Spaceport Cornwall has recently opened a Space Systems Operations Facility that aims to boost investment into the Duchy and increase collaborations to grow the sector.

Combined with its Space Systems Integration Facility, it completes the £5.6million Centre for Space Technologies, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council.

It makes Cornwall the only region in the UK where a satellite could be built, integrated, and launched.