Connect with us

Internet

Can the UK Host Europe’s First Spaceport?

In the race to launch the first rocket from Europe, can the UK come out on top? With the plans for two new UK spaceports based in Scotland underway, these may present Great Britain’s best chance of success.

mm

Published

on

Can the UK Host Europes First Spaceport

The United Kingdom can boast an enviable record of excellence with its contributions to science, engineering, and technology, especially in the field of aeronautics. Therefore, it’s surprising that Great Britain hasn’t yet achieved a vertical rocket launch from the country’s soil, despite the abundance of scientific expertise in its space industry.

Now, the United Kingdom is targeting 10% of the worldwide space industry by 2030, and its success in the endeavor is likely to hinge on the progress of two new UK spaceports.

1. Spaceport Development in the UK

Despite the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the continuing fallout from Brexit, the UK is still aiming to build new spaceports on British soil very shortly. The government and space industry hope to boost British enterprise, provide a platform for the nation’s scientific talent, and secure considerable economic benefits.

UK science minister Amanda Solloway stated that the new UK spaceports would “cement the UK’s status as a global space superpower.” The UK already makes sizeable contributions to the global space industry with its technology exports. The annual UK satellite export market is valued at over $300 million, while more than £360 billion of broader UK economic activity is supported by satellite services.

Indeed, small satellite (smallsat) technology promises the most significant short-term growth for the space industry’s future. Many of Britain’s most innovative smallsat companies are located in Scotland, which, combined with the local geography, makes the UK’s northernmost part an ideal base of operations for developing the country’s space industry.

It’s no surprise, then, that Scotland has been chosen as the location for two different spaceports with two very different profiles. While plans for other UK spaceports in Wales and Cornwall are also in progress, if Britain launches Europe’s first vertical rocket, it will likely originate from one Scottish spaceport. Now, it continues to be discussed which will strike first: Space Hub Sutherland or the Shetland Space Centre.

2. Space Hub Sutherland vs. Shetland Space Centre

With a proposed site amidst the beautiful Scottish Highlands on the A’ Mhòine peninsula, the construction of Space Hub Sutherland is scheduled to begin soon, with an eye on launching rockets before the end of 2022. The spaceport will launch rockets carrying payloads of up to 500 kg, the first of which will be a rocket made by Orbex. Although based in Scotland, Orbex’s founders hail from Denmark and Germany, with most of Orbex’s employees working in Denmark rather than in the UK.

spacex Host Europes First Spaceport

This is not the only setback that Orbex and Sutherland Space Hub have had to weather. This is not the only setback that Orbex and Sutherland Space Hub have had to survive. Previously, the American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin had come aboard as a partner at Sutherland Space Hub. However, it seems the US company thought better of the decision, as they have now turned their efforts to the Shetland Space Centre instead.

The original design for the spaceport included two vertical launchpads to enable up to 30 launches every year. However, due to ecological restrictions, the spaceport has been limited to a single launch pad and a maximum of 12 launches every year. It is also unclear why Orbex would have sought a bailout loan despite having secured millions in investment for the project.

Other objections to the Sutherland spaceport have come from Danish billionaire and the richest man in Scotland, Holch Povlsen. The emigrant entrepreneur has cited environmental concerns that conflict with the work done by his Wildland firm, which aims to rewild the Scottish Highlands. However, it’s also worth noting that Povlsen has a £1.4 million stake in the competing Shetland Space Centre, which he argues has more potential for success.

Shetland Space Centre is also looking to be up and running with its first rocket launch by the end of 2022, from a site in Lamba Ness on Unst, one of the Shetland Islands. The plans boast three launchpads capable of launching payloads of up to 1,000 kg for up to 30 launches every year. Lockheed Martin is partnering with space technology firm ABL Space Systems for a series of maiden launches from the spaceport.

Although the project promises to contribute £5 million to the local economy, planning approval has yet to be granted. The preferred site will require the demolition of a Second World War radar facility, which Historic Environment Scotland has argued is too high a price to pay. Suggested suitable alternatives could easily be found elsewhere.

3. When Will UK Spaceports Be Operational

The coronavirus pandemic has caused mass disruption to almost every industry on Earth, and the commercial space sector is no different. That said, the global space industry continued to grow in 2020, which is perhaps a testament to the sector’s future-proof potential. Suppose the UK is serious about leveraging its space industry to acquire a share of this market.

In that case, UK spaceports will have to be constructed before long, especially if Great Britain wants to realize its ambitions of becoming the first European nation to play host to a vertical rocket launch. Meanwhile, on the continent, countries such as Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, and Portugal, are all working towards making their space industries sufficiently competitive to increase their global market shares.

What are the uses of satellites

  • Television
  • Telephones
  • Navigation
  • Space science
  • Weather
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Safety
  • Land stewardship

4. Conclusion: Healthy Competition

The UK spaceports planned for Scotland both face their own set of challenges. Neither the Shetland Space Centre nor Sutherland Space Hub will find themselves wanting for customers if one or both of them can demonstrate the capacity for successful vertical rocket launches. However, the presence of two different spaceports in Scotland can only help to improve Britain’s overall ability for commercial space launches that are likely to make the country an attractive proposition for future investment.

The global satellite market proliferates as more and more industries rely on satellite technology to stay competitive. If these UK spaceports can establish themselves as Europe’s premier launch facilities, both the spaceport developers and the broader British economy are sure to reap the benefits.

We are an Instructor, Modern Full Stack Web Application Developers, Freelancers, Tech Bloggers, and Technical SEO Experts. We deliver a rich set of software applications for your business needs.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Games

Parimatch starts cooperation with the AFA in Asia

This partnership allows the AFA to expand its international presence and, together with Parimatch, participate in all sports technology events held in Asia.

mm

Published

on

Parimatch starts cooperation with the AFA in Asia

The global gaming platform Parimatch has announced a new exclusive partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), becoming the organization’s fifth regional sponsor. This partnership allows the AFA to expand its international presence and, together with Parimatch, participate in all sports technology events held in Asia.

Expanding its horizons, the Argentine Football Association is actively entering new strategic markets, involving more than 55 commercial partners. In addition, the association is improving its digital content strategy, including social media in five languages, to help attract new audiences.

The partnership with Parimatch will provide users with the opportunity to participate in various official events, receive autographed t-shirts of the players of the national team of Argentina, and enjoy unique moments thanks to this collaboration.

AFA President Claudio Tapia said: “We express our gratitude to Parimatch, a leading company in the gaming industry, for joining the Argentine football family as a regional sponsor of our national team in the Asian region.”

Tapia stressed that the AFA continues to take active steps to expand its presence in strategic markets and forge alliances with leading companies. This agreement allows the association to work actively in Asia and strengthens its position in the world of football. “We sincerely welcome Parimatch as our regional sponsor,” he added.

The AFA’s Commercial and Marketing Director, Leandro Petersen, stated: “We are delighted to announce a new regional sponsorship in the Asian region between the AFA and Parimatch. This partnership with a market leader like Parimatch will strengthen our position in the international arena and help expand the fan base of the Argentine national team in Asia.”

The press service of Parimatch also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation, underscoring: “We are pleased to work with the Argentine Football Association as its regional sponsor in Asia. This agreement marks an important milestone for Parimatch as we enhance our commitment to growing football in Asia and providing an exceptional playing experience for fans. Our partnership with the AFA allows us to expand our brands and actively engage with football fans in Asia.”

Parimatch reaffirms its commitment to supporting football in Asia and is ready to provide fans with unforgettable experiences as a regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association.

Through strategic partnerships with leading football organizations such as the AFA, Parimatch continues to promote the development of sports and popularize football culture in Asia, bringing beloved teams closer to their fans.

Parimatch also plays a key role in promoting sports culture in the region. Through its partnership with the AFA, Parimatch provides its users with exclusive access to events and products related to Argentine football. This not only strengthens the Parimatch brand, but also enhances the commitment to sports in Asia.

The collaboration between Parimatch and the AFA demonstrates how strategic alliances can influence the development of the sports industry. Parimatch is constantly looking for new opportunities for development and innovation, and this partnership is another step in that direction. Parimatch users are looking forward to new opportunities that will open up thanks to this collaboration.

Continue Reading
Workforce1 month ago

Best practices for ethical user activity monitoring

Digital Marketing1 month ago

How to Find a Great Paid Social Agency: Watch Out for These Pitfalls

AI Tools2 months ago

How to Learn New Technologies and Tools More Easily

Technology3 months ago

The Future of Tourism: Harnessing the Power of Technology

Games3 months ago

Parimatch starts cooperation with the AFA in Asia

Technology3 months ago

Outdoor Digital Signage through the Ages and its Influence

Health & Fitness4 months ago

The Future of HR Technology in Health Services

AI Tools5 months ago

How to Choose the Best Test Automation Tool for Your Development Needs

AI Tools5 months ago

A Guide To Using AI for Knowledge Management

AI Tools5 months ago

Improving Decision Making with Better Data Handling

Trending