July 16 2018

Sutherland has been chosen by the UK government to play host to the country’s first vertical launch spaceport, with Prestwick still in the running to host a horizontal launch runway.

The decision unlocks £2.5m in funding for Highlands & Islands Enterprise to develop the remote site which will play host to existing and novel rocket technologies designed to give Britain a headstart in spaceflight.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “As a nation of innovators and entrepreneurs, we want Britain to be the first place in mainland Europe to launch satellites as part of our Industrial Strategy. The UK’s thriving space industry, research community and aerospace supply chain put the UK in a leading position to develop both vertical and horizontal launch sites.

“This will build on our global reputation for manufacturing small satellites and help the whole country capitalise on the huge potential of the commercial space age.”

Prestwick is one of a number of locations around the UK still in contention for a £2m horizontal launch site, capable of conducting sub-orbital flights and satellite launches as well as playing host to a new breed of spaceplanes.

1 Comment

#1 Posted by Elmo on 17 Jul 2018 at 10:34 AM

I think he means to say Scotland

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