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Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong>Read more<\/p>\n Scotland<\/a> could miss out on a \u201cgenerational opportunity\u201d to become a leader in the European space launch field, MPs<\/a> have warned.<\/p>\n A Westminster committee says fierce international competition and a lack of investment could scupper Scottish hopes of becoming the home of orbital satellite launches in Europe.<\/p>\n The UK Government<\/a> was urged to go \u201cfurther and faster\u201d in supporting the space industry in a report from the Scottish Affairs<\/a> Committee.<\/p>\n Shetland has the UK\u2019s only licensed \u201cvertical launch\u201d spaceport \u2013 at SaxaVord on the northernmost inhabited island of Unst.<\/p>\n A number of companies hope to launch satellites from there, but so far none have blasted off.<\/p>\n The German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg, is believed to be in the furthest stages of development.<\/p>\n The report notes Scotland is geographically well-placed, as certain types of satellite launches benefit from higher latitudes.<\/p>\n However, Norway has its own spaceport at Andoya in the northern part of the country, as it also seeks to capitalise on the global market for small satellite launches.<\/p>\n Andoya hosted its first launch attempt in late March, though the test rocket made by Isar Aerospace fell to the ground and exploded shortly after lift-off.<\/p>\n The Scottish Affairs Committee heard from a number of experts and figures involved in the space industry.<\/p>\n Professor Malcolm Macdonald, of Strathclyde University,, said the UK had not always sustained its \u201cfirst-mover\u201d advantage in the space launch sector.<\/p>\n The report\u2019s conclusion stated: \u201cIt is clear that the UK is falling behind its European counterparts in terms of public investment, leaving Scottish spaceports at a competitive disadvantage in a fast-moving global market.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout sustained backing from the Government \u2013 particularly in infrastructure \u2013 Scotland risks missing a generational opportunity to lead in space launch.<\/p>\n