Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Acknowledged
UK requires sovereign launch capability for national security; risks foreign dependency without support.
Conclusion
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 critically undermine the UK’s defence and security infrastructure. (Conclusion, Paragraph 58)
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
• The Government recognises the importance of a domestic launch capability for assuring our ability to access space independently. This is particularly salient in the current market where there is an undersupply of launch services globally. A domestic launch capability will enhance our national security and resilience, as well as provide an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with international partners and allies. • This is why Government has provided significant investment in the Scottish launch sector to date, including investment in both domestic and international launch operators intending to launch from the UK, as well as the infrastructure required to deliver launches. This includes our £10m investment in SaxaVord spaceport last year, to enable them to complete the construction required to deliver German company RFA’s launch, as well as £26m investment in Orbex to complete development of their small-lift vehicle Prime, and investment in Skyrora, who were issued their license in 2025. All these companies are making progress, and both RFA and Orbex are planning first test launches from Scotland over the next year. The UK launch sector now comprises over 200 companies, spanning space operations, manufacturing, finance, and IT services, many of whom are based in Scotland.