Stay up to date with notifications from TheĀ Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Senior minister for UK space launches needed, MPs told

The deputy CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport, said they are aiming for their first rocket launches this summer.

Neil Pooran
Monday 08 January 2024 12:32 EST
SaxaVord Spaceport hope to launch rockets this summer (SaxaVord UK)
SaxaVord Spaceport hope to launch rockets this summer (SaxaVord UK) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A senior minister directly responsible for the space launch industry is needed to help businesses in the sector, MPs have been told.

On Monday, Westminsterā€™s Scottish Affairs Committee heard from companies involved in spaceports which are being built in Scotland.

Scott Hammond, deputy CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport, said they are aiming for their first rocket launches this summer.

The spaceport, located on the island of Unst at the northernmost point of the UK, was recently granted its licence by the Civil Aviation Authority.

While UK Science Minister Andrew Griffith has the space sector within his portfolio, Mr Hammond said a cabinet-level role is needed.

Mr Hammond told the committee he welcomed the space strategies published by the Scottish and UK Governments but felt more resources should be made available.

He said: ā€œFor me, thereā€™s almost too many cooks involved.

ā€œI think what we need to look at is having a senior politician directly responsible for space and space launch and I would suggest that at cabinet level.ā€

Despite the UK Government space portfolio, he said it is still ā€œdifficult to know whoā€™s actually running launch in the UKā€.

He gave the example of seeking permissions from Scottish Governmentā€™s marine directorate, something he said was taking six months rather than 14 weeks as promised.

He was on a panel of witnesses that also included Martin Coates, chief executive of rocket company Orbex, which plans to launch from Sutherland Spaceport on the Scottish mainland, and David Oxley of the regional development agency Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE).

Committee member Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, asked the panel if HIE had ā€œput all your eggs into one basketā€ by investing heavily in the Sutherland spaceport.

Those involved in SaxaVord have previously complained that HIE is unfairly supporting their competitor.

Mr Oxley said Sutherland Spaceport had appeared to be in a ā€œbetter placeā€ in 2018 but acknowledged circumstances had changed since then.

He said it is ā€œgreatā€ that two sites are coming close to their first launches and talks are ongoing about support for SaxaVord.

Mr Coates said he did not believe his company is in competition with SaxaVord as Sutherland will only be hosting launches by Orbex.

However, Mr Hammond said he saw no need for a ā€œdissipation of resourcesā€ in having more than one spaceport in Scotland.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in