SCOTLAND has “left the launchpad” and is “heading to the stars and a new frontier”, a minister has said as he hailed progress in the space sector.
Trade Minister Richard Lochhead said Scotland is now the leading European country for the sector.
During a Holyrood debate, he said the first launches from Scottish spaceports would take place “shortly”.
READ MORE: Coronation: Seven in 10 Scots do not care, according to new survey
Two sites in Scotland hope to host orbital satellite launches – SaxaVord in Unst and the Sutherland space hub.
He highlighted recent investment by Mangata Networks to build a satellite manufacturing base in Ayrshire, which is expected to support 575 jobs.
Lochhead said the Scottish space sector would be in a “genuinely world-leading position”, with satellites being manufactured and launched in the country.
He told MSPs: “Scotland was famously at the heart of the first industrial revolution. And now, in this pivotal decade, we are again shaping the future.
“The future for space, as one of Scotland’s cutting-edge sectors, is really, really exciting.
“We’ve left the launchpad, we’re heading for the stars and new frontiers, and I commend the sector for all it’s achieving.”
Tory Jamie Halcro Johnston said the SNP was going through its own “rapid unscheduled disassembly” – a reference to a euphemism used by SpaceX – Elon Musk’s rocket company – to describe a rocket exploding last week.
He said: “It’s not rocket science to see this is an increasingly important sector.”
Lib Dem Beatrice Wishart said she had recently visited SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst, which is in her constituency.
READ MORE: FMQs: Douglas Ross warned for using prop photo of Humza Yousaf
She said: “Unst, with a population of around 650, is the most northerly inhabited community in Scotland, indeed the UK.
“The final frontier if you will.”
MSPs unanimously backed a government motion which said there are “significant opportunities for Scotland in becoming the home of space launches in Europe”.
A Tory amendment welcomed the UK Government’s financial support of the sector. This was also passed unanimously.
A Labour amendment noted “the importance of a supportive regulatory regime and of the Scottish Government engaging collaboratively to ensure that this is delivered”. This too was passed unanimously.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel