Home / Sources / Select Committees / Scottish Affairs Committee / Scotland’s space sector follow-up: laun…
Index live
Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee

Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch

Status: Closed Opened: 21 Jan 2025 Closed: 1 Dec 2025 20 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

In June 2023, the previous Scottish Affairs Committee began an inquiry into Scotland’s space sector. That broad inquiry examined the space sector’s contribution to Scotland’s economy, and how the UK Government could support the industry to become a world leader. You can read the call for evidence for that inquiry here. Work on that inquiry … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch HC 671 10 Sep 2025 24 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
1 Recommendation 2nd Report - Scotland’s space sector fo… Acknowledged

Provide substantial government support to Scotland's space sector, capitalising on global launch opportunities.

The global shortage of launch capacity combined with Scotland’s rapid sectoral growth and increasing international interest presents a time- sensitive opportunity that must not be missed. The Government must realise the massive potential for Scotland’s burgeoning space sector to contribute to the UK’s economic growth and must provide a level … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that its ambition to become a major European launching nation will provide industry with clarity and direction by 2026, though the specific actions or plans relating to this timeframe and commensurate support are not fully detailed in the provided response.
Read full response →
Scotland Office
2 Conclusion 2nd Report - Scotland’s space sector fo… Acknowledged

Limited government support and endorsement unlocked private finance for Scotland's space launch capacity.

Scotland is uniquely well-placed for launch because of its geographical advantage for polar orbits. SaxaVord is poised to provide a long-term sustainable launch capacity for the global market. Some limited UK Government funding and endorsement provided by the UK Government proactively championing the sector has helped unlock the private finance … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges Scotland's importance for launch capabilities, reiterating its commitment to the UK becoming a launching nation and highlighting £98m invested in the Scottish launch sector. It announces intentions to publish a new cross-government space publication in 2026, detailing its strategic approach to supporting …
Read full response →
Scotland Office
8 Conclusion 2nd Report - Scotland’s space sector fo… Acknowledged

UK requires sovereign launch capability for national security; risks foreign dependency without support.

There is a clear consensus among stakeholders that the UK must develop and maintain a sovereign launch capability to secure assured access to space. This is critical for national security and defence resilience. Without decisive Government support, the UK risks becoming dangerously dependent on foreign launch partners. This over-reliance could … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of a domestic launch capability for national security and resilience, and highlights significant past and ongoing investments in the Scottish launch sector and UK launch companies to secure assured access to space.
Read full response →
Scotland Office

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
23 Apr 2025 Chris White-Horne · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Colin Macleod · Civil Aviation Authority, Dr Christie Maddock · University of Strathclyde, Dr Pamela Smith · AAC Clyde Space, Matthew Archer · UK Space Agency, Professor Malcolm Macdonald · University of Strathclyde, Professor Patrick Harkness · University of Glasgow, Rosie Whitbread · UK Civil Aviation Authority, Sir Chris Bryant MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport View ↗
5 Feb 2025 Alan Thompson · Skyrora Limited, Jörn Spurmann · Rocket Factory Augsburg, Nik Smith · UKspace, Phil Chambers · Orbex, Ruari Brooker · HyImpulse, Scott Hammond · SaxaVord Spaceport View ↗

Who gave evidence

15 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alan Thompson · Head of Government Affairs Skyrora Limited 1
Chris White-Horne · Interim Space Director Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 1
Colin Macleod · Head of Space Regulation Civil Aviation Authority 1
Dr Christie Maddock · Senior Lecturer, Mechanical and Aerospace Enginee… University of Strathclyde 1
Dr Pamela Smith · Vice President of Future Programmes AAC Clyde Space 1
Jörn Spurmann · Chief Commercial Officer Rocket Factory Augsburg 1
Matthew Archer · Missions and Capabilities Director for Launch UK Space Agency 1
Nik Smith · Vice-Chair, Security and Defence Committee UKspace 1
Phil Chambers · Chief Executive Officer Orbex 1
Professor Malcolm Macdonald · Chair of Applied Space Technology University of Strathclyde 1
Professor Patrick Harkness · Professor of Exploration Technology University of Glasgow 1
Rosie Whitbread · Head of Space Regulation Policy UK Civil Aviation Authority 1
Ruari Brooker · Business Development Manager HyImpulse 1
Scott Hammond · Deputy Chief Executive Officer SaxaVord Spaceport 1
Sir Chris Bryant MP · Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism Department for Culture, Media and Sport 1

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
3 Sep 2025 To cttee Letter from Minister of State, Sir Chris Bryant, regarding UKSA and DSIT, date…
2 Apr 2025 To cttee Letter from Scottish Government regarding Scotland’s space sector follow up: l…