UK spaceport plans

Plans for Britain to be home of Europe’s first spaceport moved a step closer today after the results of a three month consultation with a range of interested parties were published.

The government confirmed widespread support for its plans and says it paves the way towards making commercial spaceflight operations in the UK a reality.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) short listed a number of possible locations for the spaceport in July 2014 and this has now been updated.

The short listed sites are Campbeltown, Glasgow Prestwick and Stornoway in Scotland, as well as Newquay in England and Llanbedr in Wales. RAF Leuchars was also confirmed as a potential temporary facility.

The government ruled out the airfields at RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks for operational reasons, given their defence roles. Other locations can still be submitted if operators believe they can fulfil the requirements.

Aviation minister Robert Goodwill said: “I want Britain to lead the way in commercial spaceflight. Establishing a spaceport will ensure we are at the forefront of this exciting new technology.”

“Today’s consultation response marks another step forward in our work to support this emerging industry, which will create jobs and drive economic growth.

“Launching satellites and operating commercial space flights from our shores was once only confined to the depths of science fiction, but with the results of this consultation we are one step closer to making this a very real ability in the near future.”

Work to establish the feasibility of a UK spaceport began in 2012, when the Department for Transport and UK Space Agency (UKSA) asked the CAA to review the operational environment and regulations to allow spaceplanes to operate.

Last year, the government launched its space innovation and growth strategy 2014 to 2030, which set out the economic advantages of the UK becoming a European focal point for the pioneers of commercial spaceflights and scientific research.

The next step is for the DfT to develop a detailed technical specification of spaceport requirements, prior to inviting proposals. This is due to be published later this year.

Business secretary Vince Cable said: “Paving the way for a national spaceport is one of our biggest science achievements in this parliament.

“It greatly underscores the work of our space innovation and growth strategy to position the UK as a world leader in this exciting arena that is expected to be worth up to £400 billion a year to the global economy by 2030.

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