{"id":412835,"date":"2025-09-10T09:56:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/412835\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T09:56:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:56:12","slug":"scotland-could-miss-out-on-generational-opportunity-for-space-launch-uk-government-committee-warns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/412835\/","title":{"rendered":"Scotland could miss out on \u2018generational opportunity\u2019 for space launch, UK Government committee warns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scotland is at risk of losing a \u201cgenerational opportunity\u201d to become a space launch leader in Europe, a government committee has warned.<\/strong><\/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 was urged to go \u201cfurther and faster\u201d in supporting the space industry in a report from the Scottish Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n

Shetland has the UK\u2019s only licensed \u201cvertical launch\u201d spaceport 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

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

\u201cTo fully realise this potential, the UK Government needs to go further and faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

MPs have called for sustained Government investment in infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Patricia Ferguson, chair of the committee, said: \u201cScotland has real potential to become a leader in space launch, which space ports such as SaxaVord in Shetland are well-placed to seize.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe economic benefits of this would be huge, but it\u2019s a time-sensitive opportunity we\u2019re in danger of missing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re urging the UK Government to commit to sustained financial backing of the sector, and move towards long-term, co-ordinated investment that can match the fantastic ambition and momentum demonstrated by the sector.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur report sets out ways to do this that can not only provide the confidence and clarity that the industry really needs to scale up, but also position the UK as a serious contender on the global launch stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott Hammond, CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport, welcomed the committee\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI have been saying for a long time that government needs to up its game and get more fully behind the satellite launch sector, which with 10,000 small satellites expected to be launched in the next decade is as exciting a new growth opportunity as any.<\/p>\n

\u201cOther countries such as Norway \u2013 and this is a truly international playing field \u2013 have provided much more financial support to their sovereign launch capabilities, and we need to follow suit in order to gain a significant share of a market that will be worth 28 billion dollars and secure assured access to space for the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is particularly pleasing that the committee recommends that the UK Government should broaden its funding approach, and become a long-term customer of, as well as an investor in, domestic launch services. This should be for both civilian and military satellites.\u201d<\/p>\n

The UK Government has been approached for comment.<\/p>\n

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