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New Milestone Reached in UK Spaceport Development

26th Jan 2017

Leading UK Space science and technology firms QinetiQ and Telespazio VEGA UK have agreed Memorandum’s of Understanding (MoU) to work with Discover Space UK on investigating the potential for a horizontal launch spaceport at the Campbeltown site on the West Coast of Scotland.

The agreements follow discussions and site visits arranged by Discover Space UK to promote the former RAF airbase’s suitability for potential space plane launches. Under the terms of the MOU partners have agreed to investigate the launch capability at the Campbeltown Spaceport, develop feasibility and business cases as well as engaging with government and other stakeholders to advance the UK space industry.

“I am delighted that both QinetiQ and Telespazio VEGA UK are going to investigate the Campbeltown sites potential for becoming a UK Spaceport launch site and would like to thank all those involved in the process so far,” stated Tom Millar, Director of Discover Space UK.

“We strongly believe that the Campbeltown site and indeed the whole Highlands and Islands region offer the very real potential for the creation of safe, affordable and commercially viable spaceports within the United Kingdom.”

Councillor Aileen Morton, Policy Lead for Sustainable Economic Growth for Argyll and Bute Council, which has formed a consortium with DSUK, said: “This is a project being driven by the local community, with the full backing of Argyll and Bute Council. We are intent on embracing industries of the future and, with the UK space industry creating up to 100,000 jobs by 2030, our focus is on bringing some of these jobs to the area.

“With this rapidly growing industry envisaged to generate £40billion by 2030, we want this area to play a significant part, because we have much to offer.”

Click here to learn more about QinetiQ
Click here to learn more about Telespazio VEGA UK


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