Scottish Government believe spaceports only 'months away from lift-off'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Two spaceports being built in Scotland are months away from their first orbital lift-offs, the Scottish Government has said.

A new expert group has been formed to advise ministers and companies on how to maximise opportunities for the sector. The Scotland International Space Advisory Committee (Sisac) consists of Scots connected to the space industry around the world.

A company called Orbex plans to launch commercial satellites in its Prime rocket from the A'Mhoine peninsula in Sutherland. Meanwhile, the SaxaVord spaceport on the Shetland Islands will be used by several firms, including the Edinburgh-based Skyrora.

The Scottish Government said the first orbital launches from both sites are expected in 2023. Business minister Ivan McKee said: "Space brings great opportunity for Scotland in terms of the economic development it delivers, its relevance for the climate change agenda and the power it has to inspire the next generation.