Britain should have its own spaceport where satellites and travellers could be blasted into orbit, say business leaders. Such a move would help the successful British space industry "really lift off", according to the Institute of Directors (IoD). Suitable locations for a spaceport could be found in Scotland, Northern Ireland or South West England Read more
While primarily an American venture, there are rumours that Virgin Galactic is already looking to expand. And the UK wants the place of expansion to be in Scotland. The Department for Business says that the UK is keen to attract commercial operations to the country and that Scotland remains a potential base for space tourism in the UK. Read more
A space-flight project that had been linked with Lossiemouth has taken another major step towards running commercial routes. Virgin Galactic had been linked with running a UK-operation from RAF Lossiemouth as it aims to be the first company to run flights for paying customers. Read more
Space agency move could see lift-off for Lossiemouth
Space tourism flights could blast off from Scotland under government plans to overhaul the space regulatory regime, science minister David Willetts will announce today. Mr Willetts, opening a consultation on the UK Space Agency's strategy for 2011-15, was expected to say the government was working to "tackle the burden of regulation" surrounding space activity, which had "grown up almost by chance" and "without a coherent overview". Read more
Moray is an ideal location for a spaceport, a leading space expert has told local business leaders. Moray born Professor George Fraser, Director of the University of Leicesters Space Research Centre, told delegates at a conference in Elgin that space tourism was likely to be a growth industry, and a catalyst for economic development. Read more
Moray should reach for the stars in developing a space centre concept which could boost the local economy and tourism. Moray Space Wheel is an ambitious vision of a space-related centre of excellence. It could contain a permanent exhibition, business and educational facilities, a space flight simulator, a planetarium, a shop and restaurant. Read more
Virgin Galactic is still interested in using a Moray site as a commercial base for space tourist flights. Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Minister Jim Mather confirmed last week that Highlands and Islands Enterprise was in talks with Virgin Galactic to support possible space operations from Scotland. Read more
Virgin astronauts could boldly go from Scottish base
Space tourists could be launched from an airbase in Scotland within the next five years, the head of Richard Branson's space tourism company said yesterday. According to Will Whitehorn, the Virgin Galactic president, the UK Space Agency is already pushing for changes to legislation that would allow commercial space flights to take off from British soil. Read more
Science Minister Lord Drayson has been urged to include the possibility of Lossiemouth becoming a spaceport in pursuing his policy of increasing the UK's share of the space technology market. The plea has been delivered by Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson following publication of the government's Space Innovation and Growth Strategy for the next two decades. Read more
Moray MP Angus Robertson last night said he was "mystified" by Virgin Galactic's claims that British laws must be changed before Moray can be considered as Europe's international space station base. The company plans to offer space tourism flights to the paying public within five years and Lossiemouth's RAF base is their first UK choice as a spaceport.