Three space projects in Scotland will receive almost £7.5 million between them as part of the UK Government’s support for the space sector.
Ian Murray MP was speaking at the Scottish Space-Comm Expo earlier this week and promised the industry in Scotland that there would be plenty of support for them.
Three kickstarter projects will receive £2.4 million each to help fund their projects in a bid to keep Scotland as one of they key countries in the global space industry.
Scotland has developed a key role in recent years with Glasgow now manufacturing more satellites than any other city in the world other than California.
The UK Space Agency is also opening an office in Edinburgh and Mr Murray has promised more funding and support for Scotland’s space industry as the government looks to keep it growing.
In his speech at the event, he said: “Let’s look at driving economic growth, the lead mission of the new government. All of these benefits are testament to the work you and everyone at this expo does and it’s clear to see the real world return into investment in the sector.
“Crucially though, the Government knows the way to improve people’s lives across the country is sustained economic growth. That growth can only be achieved by harnessing new and emerging opportunities like the space sector.
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“The UK Government will support the sector to push on further. In Scotland that can look like three kickstarter projects that will each receive £2.4 million, these projects are designed to support technologies and applications that are at an early stage of development, increase their readiness for use in commercial and scientific endeavours and of course, take them to market.
“I also want to ensure that space is woven into the new industrial strategy being developed by our business and trade secretary and it contributes to and is supported by delivery of our five national missions.
“Looking further afield I hope to speak to many of our foreign delegations here today about inward investment into Scotland and how the Government can support it happening.”
The Scottish Secretary was keen to points out some of the highlights of the successes of the industry in Scotland, with it generating £366 million in income in 2023 as well as instances of the James Webb telescope among others.
He continued: “Finally, let’s look at Scotland’s role. Recent reports have highlighted that Scotland’s space sector is in rude health, generating £366m in income and accounting for a staggering 18% of all UK space jobs in 2023. We punch well above our weight in this sector.
“Scotland has become a global hub in satellite manufacturing and analysing data. It is increasingly becoming a destination for satellite launch.
“I’m pleased to say there is more satellites manufactured in Glasgow than anywhere else in the world outside California. That’s thanks in no small part to the headquarters of ACC Clyde Space manufacturing here and also Spire Global.
“The readiness of Scotland’s end-to-end capability is a key area of opportunity. With the UK Space Agency setting up an office in Edinburgh, it further demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to showcasing the magnitude of skills and ability here in Scotland.
“What’s more, Scottish organisations have significant downstream capabilities which benefit from support from internationally renowned universities in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt.
“Due to the expertise at Edinburgh in particular, it is set to become the space data capital of Europe.
“Scotland’s network of academic and science institutions also make significant contribution to our flagship space exploration missions such as the UK astronomy technology centre at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, leading to the design of the mid infrared instrument of the James Webb telescope.
“It’s a place close to my heart with it being at the centre of my own constituency in Edinburgh South. We are now reaping rewards from the James Webb telescope, the most powerful telescope launched into space and helping us look back in time over 13.7 billion years, our place in the Universe and of course, where other life may exist.”
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