Recommendation 20

The UK Space Agency should therefore commit to working with both the UK and Scottish Governments to identify early public sector customers for Scotland’s launch and spaceport sector. Government becoming a customer of the Scottish launch sector would send a clear demand signal that the sector is viable and encourage the development of a more diverse customer base in the coming years. We also call on the Department for Business and Trade to explain within six months, either in a written ministerial statement or in writing to the Committee, how it will promote international demand for Scottish launch services. Similarly, given Scotland’s competitive geographic location and capabilities, we urge the Scotland Office to play an active role in realising the ambition for Scotland to be a global leader in small satellite launch. (Recommendation, Paragraph 92)