Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Deferred
Scotland's early lead in space launch risks being lost without stronger government support.
Recommendation
Scotland has a first mover advantage for achieving Europe’s first orbital launch. However, this early advantage is in danger of being lost, as competitors make rapid progress. If Scotland is to compete, and ultimately succeed, in the race to provide sustainable launch operations, the UK Government must realise that complacency is not an option and do everything it can to strengthen its support for and cooperation with the sector. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the opportunity Scotland's launch sector presents and will set out its strategic approach to supporting the sector in a new cross-Government space publication scheduled for 2026.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
• The Government is committed to making the UK a nation that regularly launches satellites into orbit from own territory. Achieving this will enhance our national security and resilience, and deliver high-skilled jobs, investment, and growth. As home to SaxaVord Spaceport, Sutherland Spaceport, and two domestic rocket manufacturers, Orbex and Skyrora, we recognise the opportunity that Scotland’s launch sector will play in developing Government’s ambitions for launch. • Government has provided significant support to the Scottish launch sector, having invested £98m over the past seven years. Space, and launch in particular, are high-risk industries, and Government necessarily therefore takes on risk when investing in the space sector. While we back credible commercial firms in launch and other parts of the space sector, Government cannot guarantee success in building Scottish launch at any cost. • However, we recognise the need for a sustained and clear commitment from Government in an increasingly competitive landscape across Europe. Following the recent Spending Review, the Government intends to set out our strategic approach to supporting the Scottish launch sector in a new cross-Government space publication, scheduled for 2026. This will provide industry with clarity and direction it needs, in support of our ambition to become a major European launching nation.