In 2020 a concordat was signed by three vertical launch sites – Saxa Vord Spaceport, Space Hub Sutherland, and Spaceport 1 – along with two horizontal ‘air launch’ sites – Prestwick Spaceport and Machrihanish Airbase Community Company. The purpose of the concordat, instigated by Space Scotland's Spaceports Alliance working group, was to formalise the group and develop a joint position for discussions with Government agencies to accelerate progress on key issues such as regulation and governance, insurance and international partnerships. With UK launch regulations now in place, the Working Group has expanded its remit, with a view to adding UK based launch companies to the current list of spaceport representatives in order to develop and promote a common message - Scotland is open for space business and poised to lead the way in Europe.
Dialogue with wider UK based launch sites is underway, with a view to adopting and promoting a collaborative UK approach to the development and provision of launch services to the international space market. The Alliance seeks to promote and champion the importance of the sector’s green credentials, to highlight alignment and compliance with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Responsive Launch Alliance Testimonial “The UK Space Agency and the new Spaceports Alliance are working in lockstep towards a common goal – make the UK the leading destination for space launch in Europe. We want each space port to provide a range of services that complements those available at other space port sites; meeting the myriad demands from companies for satellite launches and sub-orbital flights. The Spaceports Alliance will help us realize this ambition and build on our space sector’s proud history of collaboration.” Ian Annett, Deputy Chief Executive, UK Space Agency.
