{"id":461244,"date":"2026-03-06T19:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/461244\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T19:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:24:11","slug":"uk-governments-20m-funding-boost-for-scottish-spaceports-welcomed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/461244\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Government\u2019s \u00a320m funding boost for Scottish spaceports welcomed"},"content":{"rendered":"

A TOTAL of \u00a320 million has been pledged by the UK Government to \u201caccelerate\u201d spaceport infrastructure development in Scotland.<\/p>\n

It is part of funding worth a total of \u00a3500 million which will go to national space programmes.<\/p>\n

SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst is the UK\u2019s only fully licensed vertical spaceport, and a first launched is expected later this year.<\/p>\n

The only other spaceport project in Scotland is in Sutherland in the Highlands, but its construction was put on hold in 2024 when its developer Orbex switched its launch operations to SaxaVord.<\/p>\n

A spokesman for SaxaVord Spaceport said: \u201cWe welcome the UK Government\u2019s financial commitment to the space industry and look forward to hearing more about the proposed allocation of funding to develop spaceport infrastructure in Scotland.\u201d<\/p>\n

The UK Space Agency meanwhile said the announcement is the first stage in terms of the funding being allocated to the government agency to use to support spaceport development.<\/p>\n

The space agency will now consider proposals before announcing the recipients of the funding \u2013 with SaxaVord of course eligible.<\/p>\n

Funding will also go towards activity like developing civil capabilities for in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, and creating a national space operations centre.<\/p>\n

Space minister Liz Lloyd said: \u201cThe government recognises that the whole of the space sector \u2013 from curiosity driven science to commercial satellite services \u2013 makes an important contribution to the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut to deliver growth and security for the British people, we need to take a much bolder approach to how we prioritise public funding and support. Our vision is clear \u2013 to make the UK a competitive, agile space power.<\/p>\n

SaxaVord Spaceport: Photo: RFA<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re allocating \u00a3500 million today, on top of ESA [European Space Agency] funding, to drive forward our priorities and will continue to work closely with industry and investors to maximise private capital flows and unlock the full potential of commercial space.\u201d<\/p>\n

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SaxaVord previously received \u00a310 million of funding from the UK Government, announced in the spring 2024 budget.<\/p>\n

Last month launch company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) said progress was being made towards its next \u2018hot fire\u2019 test at SaxaVord.<\/p>\n

A 52 metre high umbilical tower is now up at the launchpad at Lamba Ness.<\/p>\n

It comes after an RFA hot fire test in 2024, which saw a rocket engine go up in flames<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile a first \u2018good practice\u2019 guide for the assessment of environmental effects from UK launches has been published.<\/p>\n

The guidance \u201cmarks an important step in shaping consistent, evidence\u2011based environmental practice for the UK space sector\u201d, according to the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professional (ISEP).<\/p>\n

SaxaVord Spaceport CEO Scott Hammond was part of a working group which helped to inform the document.<\/p>\n

Rosemary Whitbread, head of space regulation policy at the Civil Aviation Authority, said: \u201cAs the UK\u2019s space regulator we\u2019re talking to more and more launch companies planning to head to space from UK soil.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs activity grows, it\u2019s vital that environmental impacts are minimised so the major benefits of space can be realised sustainably.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a very welcome industry initiative that will support applicants, strengthen environmental responsibility and help pave the way for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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