SCOTLAND’S space sector has the potential to become a major billion-pound industry as it aims to be a major global player in the coming years, a minister has said.
Glasgow welcomed its first Space-Comm Expo on Wednesday, September 11, as the two-day conference looked to showcase the best in innovative industry and academic talent while celebrating the rapid growth of Scotland’s space sector.
The Scottish Government has voiced its ambition to carve a share of £4 billion of the global space market by 2030 and has already made steps by investing in projects like Orbex Space’s rocket launching program.
Speaking at the conference, Richard Lochhead, Scottish Government Minister for Business, said that Scotland has ambitions to contribute to major space projects like lunar discovery missions.
READ MORE: First ever Scottish Government bond could fund green projects, says Kate Forbes
He said: “Scotland's space sector has grown exponentially over a few short years, and it's got huge potential to become a major Scottish industry built on the back of innovative companies, university research, expertise and technology.
“Already, we have nearly 6500 well-paid jobs in the sector that pay two to two and a half times the average salary in Scotland.
“This is definitely a sector worth focusing on given our international strengths as a country.”
He added: “Space is becoming more and more relevant to people's everyday lives and indeed, trade and business.
“Not just through satellites, but clearly, as the world looks to, more discovery and lunar missions and beyond the vehicles and equipment that are going to be required for these kinds of projects that are worth billions of dollars.
“Perhaps Scotland can contribute to some of that technology.”
The MSP also announced at the conference that space entrepreneur Daniel Smith will lead a new position within the Scottish Government’s international business network as the first sector-specific envoy.
Smith’s role will help identify new business and investment opportunities for the Scottish Government while representing the country’s space sector at international events.
Scotland already plays a large role in the space sector as it is the world's second-biggest manufacturer of small satellites.
Lochhead believes that Scotland can expand this industry to tackle environmental issues like climate change and forest fires as he said: “As science and technology progresses, it's becoming clearer and clearer that many of the solutions to problems we are experiencing on Earth may be found in space.
“That ranges from satellites being used to monitor climate change and related issues like forest fires and other data gathering projects to the fact that as we potentially exhaust precious raw materials on planet Earth.
READ MORE: Scottish Government launches new Green Industrial Strategy
“Humankind looks to finding raw materials on other planets and, you know, even mining asteroids and countries and companies around the world are investing millions into these potential avenues for future commercial opportunities.
“So, my question is, what's Scotland's role in the future to grasp a slice of that action.”
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