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PA Media<\/p>\nPA Media<\/p>\n
Shetland’s SaxaVord is the Scottish spaceport at the most advanced stage of development, say MPs<\/p>\n
MPs have warned that Scotland is at risk of falling behind in the race to launch the first satellites from western Europe into Earth’s orbit.<\/p>\n
Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee has urged the UK government to put more investment into the development of Scottish spaceports, including Saxavord in Shetland<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scotland is considered to be suitable for launches due to its position in the world’s northern hemisphere, and access to the North Atlantic’s “low-traffic” airspace.<\/p>\n The UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said it had invested \u00a396m into the Scottish space sector, including money for Forres-based rockets manufacturer Orbex<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2021, the prime minister at the time, Boris Johnson, committed to launching a space rocket from the UK by the following year<\/a>.<\/p>\n So far, a rocket has not been successfully launched into orbit from the UK – or western Europe – according to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s new report<\/a>.<\/p>\n The group of MPs said Scotland had the potential to be a global leader in terms of small satellite launches, but it added that investment was lacking.<\/p>\n They said a site in Norway was now likely to beat Scotland to the first launch.<\/p>\n The committee has called for increased financial support from the UK government, and for it to become a customer of domestic launch services.<\/p>\n ‘Launch revolution’<\/p>\n Committee chairwoman and Labour MP for Glasgow West, Patricia Ferguson, said: “Scotland 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 “The economic benefits of this would be huge, but it’s a time-sensitive opportunity we’re in danger of missing.”<\/p>\n She added: “We’re 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 DSIT said it was providing investment.<\/p>\n A spokesperson said: “We are backing Scotland’s exceptional potential to lead Europe’s space launch revolution. <\/p>\n “Their spaceport, innovative rocket manufacturers, and unrivalled geographical advantages positions Scotland at the forefront of the launch sector.”<\/p>\n They added: “We are supporting this vital sector through sustained investment that matches the scale of this opportunity and have invested \u00a396m into the Scottish launch sector, including \u00a320m into Forres-based Orbex earlier this year.”<\/p>\n Where are Scotland’s spaceports?<\/p>\n Five sites across Scotland have been identified as possible spaceports, but the Scottish Affairs Committee said of them Shetland’s SaxaVord site was at the most advanced stage of development.<\/p>\n Last month, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted a licence allowing Scottish firm Skyrora to launch from the SaxaVord.<\/p>\n Proposed spaceports include Spaceport 1 at Scolpaig in North Uist in the Western Isles.<\/p>\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/96cce6f0-d350-11ef-94cb-5f844ceb9e30.png.webp.webp\")
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