Prestwick Spaceport signs with air launch partner to see satellite rocket launches
- Ayrshire Daily News
- Sep 22, 2021
- 3 min read
Glasgow Prestwick Airport has secured a launch partner for its spaceport development.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday by the airport and its partner South Ayrshire Council with Astraius, the UK's first, commercially operated horizontal ‘air launch’ company.
South Ayrshire Council is a key partner in the development of Prestwick Spaceport, having secured £80m of investment for the existing Prestwick Aerospace hub - Scotland’s largest - as part of the wider £250m Ayrshire Growth Deal funding.
The £80m funding will be invested in infrastructure and is expected to create up to 4,000 new high-quality jobs.
The agreement brings together proven horizontal launch technology - which allows the release of a rocket carrying small satellites from high altitude - with a world class spaceport development, in response to a growing demand from customers.
The global satellite market is booming, with operators of technology no larger than a shoebox looking to access “Low Earth Orbit” (LEO) to carry out activities that include monitoring climate change, tracking deforestation and identifying illegal fishing or mining activities around the globe.
Yesterday’s announcement will substantially bolster Scotland’s space industry ambitions. Glasgow already manufactures more small satellites than anywhere in the world outside of California, while Edinburgh has positioned itself as the space data capital of Europe, leading on the analysis of space derived data to bring a range of benefits to a variety of business sectors, the environment and wider society.
Zoe Kilpatrick, Commercial Director at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said:
“Glasgow Prestwick Airport is perfectly positioned to become a leading provider of space launch services after being at the forefront of aviation and aerospace for almost 100 years.
“In Astraius we have identified a partner with the vision, expertise, and proven technology to help fast-track our ambition to become Europe’s premier launch location, offering spaceflight as part of a proposition that stretches beyond launch, bringing a wide range of space related benefits to the region.
“This is both commercially exciting for the flagship element of Prestwick’s established aerospace hub and an important strategic step in developing launch capability for the UK. Partnering with the right service provider is critical for any launch location and Astraius is best suited to provide the required impetus and momentum to this exciting endeavour.”
The MoU was also warmly welcomed by the UK Space Agency, as well as both wider UK and Scottish Government representatives.
The signing of this MoU today is not only a significant step for the development of Prestwick Spaceport, but for the future communities of South Ayrshire said South Ayrshire Council leader, Peter Henderson.
Astraius CEO, Kevin Seymour, said:
"This landmark agreement is both strategically and commercially significant. In partnering with Prestwick, we will be able to deliver on our promise to the many satellite customers looking for launch certainty. This is an important milestone for both Astraius and Prestwick Spaceport and will add to the development of a vibrant space sector for Scotland and the UK.”
The £80 million being invested in the Aerospace and Space programme at Prestwick will position Ayrshire as one of the UK’s leading centres of aerospace and space activity, involving the four key projects of Spaceport Infrastructure, Commercial Build, Roads Infrastructure and the Aerospace and Space Innovation Centre.
Cllr Peter Henderson, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said:
"Prestwick Spaceport will have a hugely positive impact on local communities in South Ayrshire. Bringing a wide range of skilled jobs and a vibrant supply chain to the local area, the spaceport not only offers significant economic benefits, but will create opportunities for young people to have exciting careers.
“The spaceport, like all other Ayrshire Growth Deal projects such as a new Aerospace and Space Innovation Centre at Prestwick, will be delivered on Community Wealth Building principles. Based on inclusive growth, this will ensure that local people are given the chance to develop skills so they can participate in the future economy."
