{"id":39545,"date":"2014-07-15T22:26:29","date_gmt":"2014-07-15T14:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/british-government-reveal-vision-for-the-uks-first-spaceport\/"},"modified":"2014-07-15T22:26:29","modified_gmt":"2014-07-15T14:26:29","slug":"british-government-reveal-vision-for-the-uks-first-spaceport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/british-government-reveal-vision-for-the-uks-first-spaceport\/","title":{"rendered":"British government reveal vision for the UK\u2019s first spaceport"},"content":{"rendered":"

The British government continued its steady path towards recovering its space ambitions by revealing visions of what would become the first spaceport on the UK mainland. As expected, the base would be targeted mainly towards the suborbital space tourism market and possibly commercial satellite launches \u2013 likely to polar orbit destinations.\n<\/p>\n

UK Spaceport:<\/p>\n

The United Kingdom\u2019s role in space has traditionally seen it play a part role, very much under the radar of the main space faring nations such as the United States and Russia. However, there continues to be a slow and steady resurgence over recent years.<\/p>\n

\"TimWith the dark days of watching Brits having to become US citizens to fly on the Space Shuttle about to be reversed via Major Timothy Peake\u2019s upcoming trip to the International Space Station (ISS) \u2013 with a Union Jack on his uniform \u2013 politicians also appear to be waking up to the economic value of domestic space flight.<\/p>\n

Spearheaded by the success of British space companies such as Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and Astrium UK, the county\u2019s foothold in the satellite business appears to have provided the launch pad for larger aspirations, such as crew missions.<\/p>\n

\"\"Money has already been provided to ensure the UK has an involvement in NASA\u2019s Orion spacecraft, via the deal included in the European Space Agency\u2019s contract to utilize ATV hardware in Orion\u2019s Service Module.<\/p>\n

There also appears to be an increased amount of organization via the recently created UK Space Agency (UKSA), which saw its first cubesat mission \u2013 UKube-1 \u2013 successfully lofted by an Arianespace Soyuz last week.<\/p>\n

Of course, the UK\u2019s space ambitions are still very modest, as proven by the small spending power allocated towards their aspirations. However, in a space starved nation, the progress is very welcome.<\/p>\n

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The latest drive revolves around selecting a site for what would become the UK\u2019s first spaceport.<\/p>\n

\"SpaceportWhile it would be more akin to a version of Spaceport America in New Mexico \u2013 as opposed to anything like the world famous Kennedy Space Center (KSC) \u2013 is it possible the UK base could host both commercial space flight and some satellite launches.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the Farnborough Air Show\u2019s \u2018Space Day\u2019, Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill and Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency Dr David Parker unveiled the findings of a recent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report highlighting eight possible airfields that could host a spaceport.<\/p>\n

The announcement notes the government\u2019s ambition is for a UK spaceport to open in 2018 \u2013 \u201cproviding a focus for regional and international investment for growth and establishing the UK as a leader in the rapidly-expanding space market.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"2014-07-15The sites of interest are mainly Scottish, such as Campbeltown Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport (Scotland), Kinloss Barracks, RAF Leuchars (Scotland), RAF Lossiemouth and Stornorway Airport. However they also include Llanbedr Airport in Wales and Newquay Cornwall Airport in England.<\/p>\n

These site will now undergo evaluation to provide a shortlist.<\/p>\n

The main parameters being evaluated revolved around the need for an existing runway which is, or is capable of being extended to, over 3000 metres in length, the ability to accommodate dedicated segregated airspace to manage spaceflights safely and to be a reasonable distance from densely populated areas in order to minimise impact on the uninvolved general public.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n