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Written question asked by Alun Cairns (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 February 2023. It was answered by George Freeman (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 February 2023 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Spaceflight

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to support future UK spaceflight launches.

Answer

The Government remains committed to making the UK the leading provider of commercial small satellite launch in Europe by 2030, with all the necessary infrastructure and regulations now in place to support this. £50 million has been provided to grow new UK markets for small satellite launch and sub-orbital spaceflight, with £31.5 million helping to establish vertical launch services in Scotland. This includes supporting Orbex to launch from Sutherland and Lockheed Martin to launch from the Shetland Islands. Both launches are expected to take place in 2024, with other spaceports in development across Scotland and in Wales.

The UK Space Agency is now developing the next phase of the UK Spaceflight Programme, subject to HM Treasury approval. In addition, the UK invested £12 million into the next phase of the European Space Agency’s Boost programme at the ESA Council of Ministers 2022, aimed at providing tailored support to national launch companies and related infrastructure.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
136554
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Spaceflight
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk