THE UK Space Agency is opening an office in Scotland for the first time as it seeks to support the country’s growing space sector.
The UK Government agency will open an office at Queen Elizabeth House (below) in Edinburgh, which is already home to a number of UK departments.
The first ever satellite launch into space from UK soil is expected later this year in Scotland, with German company Rocket Factory Augsburg aiming to carry out its first flight from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland in the summer.
A number of companies around Glasgow are involved in satellite manufacture and the Scottish space sector is believed to generate £180 million in income a year, and employs more than 8500 people.
READ MORE: Chronic oil spills in the North Sea threaten marine protected areas
The UK Space Agency says around 30 staff will be based in Edinburgh initially but this may grow in the future.
Its overall headquarters is moving to Harwell in Oxfordshire and offices are also opening in Cardiff and Leicester.
The agency’s chief executive, Paul Bate, said: “Scotland is a global hub for satellite manufacturing and the analysis of satellite data and it is increasingly becoming a leading destination for satellite launch.
“We have seen a significant rise in space organisations across the Scottish space ecosystem and it’s crucial we nurture their skills and expertise, and connect them with the wider sector, to ensure we continue this journey.”
READ MORE: Scotland is Europe’s leading space nation, top CEO says
The agency has awarded money to the spaceports under construction at SaxaVord and in Sutherland, as well as a number of companies building rockets.
UK Government minister for Scotland, Donald Cameron, said: “The Scottish space sector continues to go from strength to strength, with the latest figures showing an almost £40 million increase in income and more than 100 new, highly-skilled jobs with support from the UK Government.”
Hina Khan, executive director of the trade body Space Scotland, said: “We eagerly anticipate the opportunities that this closer collaboration will bring, as we work hand in hand to leverage Scotland’s strengths and expertise.
“By fostering greater connectivity and co-operation, we can drive innovation, create new jobs, and propel Scotland’s space sector to even greater heights.”
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