Written question asked by Lord Birt (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 17 July 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 July 2018. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Monday, 23 July 2018 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Spaceflight: Sutherland

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the business case for creating a spaceport at A’Mhoine; and what is the anticipated cost per kilogram of satellite launched as compared with existing available alternative launchers.

Answer: The Government has this week announced grant funding for a number of projects to kick-start the market for commercial spaceport in the UK, including to support Highlands and Islands Executive (HIE) to build a vertical launch spaceport on the A’Mhoine Peninsula, Sutherland. HIE’s proposal was put forward with its commercial partners and is held in confidence by the UK Space Agency. The cost per kilogram of launch from any spaceport will depend on a number of factors, including the launch vehicle and mission profile, that can only be assessed by a launch vehicle operator.

Secondary information