SCOTLAND'S bid to become “Europe’s leading space nation” will be unveiled at a Los Angeles summit.
Richard Lochhead (below), the Innovation Minister, will travel to California this week to boost the profile of Scotland’s expanding space industry.
Figures from 2019-20 suggest a fifth of all UK space sector jobs are north of the Border, but the Scottish Government hopes 20,000 jobs will exist within the sector by 2030 – more than double the 8400 existing ones.
Scotland aspires to become “Europe’s leading space nation”, with a focus on sustainability and increasing US investment, the conference will be told.
Lochhead will tell delegates that Scotland’s space sector is in a “world leading position”, and will “problem-solve for the benefit of humankind”.
The Space Economy Summit, sponsored by The Economist, will examine “the infinite potential of space”, on October 11.
Lochhead will outline how Scotland is making an important contribution to exploration, innovation and economic growth of the sector to guests including international industry experts, investors and governments.
The intention is for delegates to learn more about the latest developments, discuss how to maximise the economic benefits of the sector and analyse how the latest technology could help tackle climate change.
READ MORE: Scotland is Europe’s leading space nation, top CEO says
Lochhead will visit ABL Space Systems, the company developing the rocket due to power the UK’s Pathfinder space launch from SaxaVord in Shetland.
He will also meet with Universal Hydrogen, a company using innovative solutions to decarbonise air travel.
Lochhead said: “We are on the cusp of something new. Technology built in Scotland will be launched from Scottish soil and the data will be used by Scottish companies to problem solve for the benefit of humankind – this is full end-to-end space capability.
“As we push forward to deliver the first regular commercial launch in the UK, we are attracting significant inward investment that is augmenting our considerable existing manufacturing and research capabilities.
“Scotland has always been a leader in innovation, and we continue to excel as we lead the world in small satellite manufacturing.
READ MORE: Politicians using 'wellbeing as fashionable label for old policies'
“In 2022, we also published the first ever Space Sustainability Roadmap, setting out how the sector can help achieve our climate targets.
“We are not alone in realising the opportunities offered by our space sector. Other nations are investing in Scotland, including the United States, with numerous companies choosing to invest in Scotland such as Spire Global and Mangata Networks.
“As we advance at a rate of knots towards our aim of becoming Europe’s leading space nation by 2030, I look forward to discussing opportunities within the sector and Scotland in particular.”
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 here