An operating licence was granted to Spaceport Cornwall, which will allow the launch of a space mission from the far south-west of Britain before Christmas.
On Wednesday morning, the Civil Aviation Authority announced that the site in Newquay could be used for sending satellites into space, despite the fact that there had been growing concern at the time.
The Cosmic Girl, a Boeing jumbo jet fitted with a rocket that will propel nine satellites into the sky, has been waiting at the spaceport for approval from the regulators.
The plane will take off from the spaceport and fly over the Atlantic, releasing the rocket that will send nine satellites into space.
The site, based at Cornwall airport Newquay, had demonstrated to the regulator that it had met the appropriate safety, security, environment and other aspects.
The authorities were satisfied with the infrastructure, equipment and services it had.
Virgin Orbit is clear to begin carrying out mission-readiness tasks as a result of the licence. Before blast-off can happen, more licences need to be obtained.
Spaceport Cornwall is the first spaceport in the UK with a licence to operate. Cornwall is ready to let go of the use of space.
She said that the CAA is working on several licence applications, including being in very advanced stages with Virgin Orbit on its applications for launch and range licences.
The licence was a key milestone in the development of Cosmic Girl, according to Dan Hart.
The portfolio holder for economy said it was a great achievement. We are close to becoming the UK's first operational spaceport. The next steps are exciting, he said.
As we look to the future of spaceflight, which can spur growth and innovation across the sector, as well as creating thousands of jobs and apprenticeships, Virgin Orbit's planned launch reinforces our position as a leading space nation.
One of the spaceports being developed is in Cornwall. The SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in Shetland will be the site of the first vertical space launch.
Prestwick, Campbeltown, and North Uist are the locations for the other proposed spaceports in Scotland.
There is a plan for a spaceport in north Wales.
Over the next 10 years, the government hopes commercial space launches will be worth more than 3 billion pounds.
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