Space / Back Scottish space sector or risk falling behind, parliament committee urges UK Government
SaxaVord Spaceport chief also calls on government to “up its game”
THE UK Government has been urged to provide secure, long-term investment in the space sector – or risk Scotland falling behind fierce European rivals.
The Westminster parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee said Scotland could lose a “generational opportunity” in the space industry due to a relative lack of public funds being provided.
MPs in the committee have urged the Labour government to commit to long-term investment to ensure Scotland – and the UK as a whole – establishes itself as a leader in commercial small satellite launch.
The findings of its report into the space industry, published today (Wednesday), have been welcomed by SaxaVord Spaceport chief executive Scott Hammond.
Hammond said the government “needs to up its game”, and that countries such as Norway have received much more public financial support than the UK.
The Scottish Affairs Committee acknowledged the threat that Norway poses to Scotland’s small satellite launch position.
It said Scotland has “first mover advantage” for orbital launches, which was in danger of being lost due to the fierce competition from other European countries.
“Scotland’s advantages are reflected by the fact that five of the UK’s seven developing spaceports are located there,” the committee said.
“Among them, SaxaVord in Shetland is at the most advanced stage of development.
“The committee warns that Scotland’s ‘first mover’ advantage is in danger of being lost due to low government investment compared to other European countries.
“This puts Scotland at a competitive disadvantage and could hinder the UK’s ability to capitalise on the growing space economy.”
The UK Government has been urged by the committee to move away from “ad-hoc grants” and to commit to a long-term, sustained investment strategy.
Once launch has been achieved, the committee has also recommended the UK Government becomes an “anchor customer” of Scotland’s launch providers to ensure their long-term financial viability.
The report also emphasises the importance of space launch capabilities to national security and defence readiness.
Scottish Affairs Committee chairwoman Patricia Ferguson said Scotland was in danger of missing huge economic benefits if Scotland’s potential to become a leader in space launch was not realised.
“We’re urging the UK Government to commit to sustained financial backing of the sector, and move towards long-term, co-ordinated investment that can match the fantastic ambition and momentum demonstrated by the sector,” she said.
“Our report sets out ways to do this that can not only provide the confidence and clarity that the industry really needs to scale up, but also position the UK as a serious contender on the global launch stage.”
SaxaVord chief executive Hammond said he had “been saying for a long time” that the UK Government needed to provide the space sector with more secure investment.
“Other countries such as Norway – and this is a truly international playing field – have provided much more financial support to their sovereign launch capabilities, and we need to follow suit in order to gain a significant share of a market that will be worth $28 billion and secure assured access to space for the UK,” he said.
“It is particularly pleasing that the committee recommends that the UK Government should broaden its funding approach, and become a long-term customer of, as well as an investor in, domestic launch services. This should be for both civilian and military satellites.
“Very few places have the geographical good fortune to become launch sites, but SaxaVord is one of these and is well-established in terms of infrastructure and licensing, with a first test-flight on the near horizon.
“We look forward to working with Ian Murray as the new minister with responsibility for space and others within the re-shaped UK Government to move forward for the benefit of the sector and the country as a whole.”
The committee concluded that the UK Government needed to make it clearer who was responsible for space policy and regulation within the government.
Companies are having to work with multiple departments “often with limited communication or coordination between them,” it found.
“This is unnecessarily hindering progress within the sector.
“Despite the UK’s ambition to lead in launch, the lack of clearly defined roles in and around government seems a significant barrier to growth.
“A more streamlined and clearer structure is essential to provide industry the clarity and confidence it needs to excel.”
The committee “cautiously” welcomed the government’s decision to take control of the UK Space Agency, which it said “could be a step in the right direction towards reducing bureaucracy” if implemented well.
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