Scotland could fall behind in Europe's space race, MPs warn

Shetland's SaxaVord is the Scottish spaceport at the most advanced stage of development, say MPs

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.

Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee has urged the UK government to put more investment into the development of Scottish spaceports, including Saxavord in Shetland.

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.

The UK government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said it had invested £96m into the Scottish space sector, including money for Forres-based rockets manufacturer Orbex.

In 2021, the prime minister at the time, Boris Johnson, committed to launching a space rocket from the UK by the following year.

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.

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.

They said a site in Norway was now likely to beat Scotland to the first launch.

The committee has called for increased financial support from the UK government, and for it to become a customer of domestic launch services.

'Launch revolution'

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.

"The economic benefits of this would be huge, but it's a time-sensitive opportunity we're in danger of missing."

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."

DSIT said it was providing investment.

A spokesperson said: "We are backing Scotland's exceptional potential to lead Europe's space launch revolution.

"Their spaceport, innovative rocket manufacturers, and unrivalled geographical advantages positions Scotland at the forefront of the launch sector."

They added: "We are supporting this vital sector through sustained investment that matches the scale of this opportunity and have invested £96m into the Scottish launch sector, including £20m into Forres-based Orbex earlier this year."

Where are Scotland's spaceports?

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.

Last month, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted a licence allowing Scottish firm Skyrora to launch from the SaxaVord.

Proposed spaceports include Spaceport 1 at Scolpaig in North Uist in the Western Isles.

In July 2023, the Scottish government decided not to call-in plans for the facility from the Western Isles Council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

The project at the time had received 244 individual public responses opposing the plans, including a petition with almost 1,000 signatures.

The government's decision meant the comhairle could continue working towards building the spaceport.

Sutherland Spaceport, near Tongue on the north Highland coast, is in limbo after rockets firm Orbex paused construction last December.

Machrihanish in Argyll and Prestwick in South Ayrshire have also been identified as having potential for hosting space flights in the future.