THE UK Government has effectively given Prestwick Airport the green light to develop as a space port, according to the local MP.
Last Thursday, Transport Minister Patrick O’Loughlin suggested the government would seek to establish a licensing system through which suitable sites could apply for a spaceport licence, rather than choose one site from its shortlist.
Newquay in Cornwall had been the favourite to be the official UK spaceport, but Central Ayrshire
MP Philippa Whitford says this was a political rather than commercial choice.
The new system announced by the government means a licence will be required for each individual vehicle and, as such, a licensing system will be inevitable.
“Prestwick Airport is ideally suited to housing a spaceport, with its long runway, clear weather, good transport links and Air Traffic Control on site,” said Whitford.
“The surrounding Aerospace Cluster would contribute to the development of the launch vehicles and just up the road we have Clyde Space, the world leader in the production of ultra-small Cube satellites. Prestwick is probably the closest shortlisted site to achieving launch capability, and our chances of developing that role commercially have now vastly increased.
She continued: “The spaceport team, led originally by Stuart McIntyre and now by Mike Stewart of Prestwick Airport, have been working tirelessly to showcase Prestwick’s advantages to the industry.
“Given their proactive approach, I feel we have a real advantage over other sites and could well be ready to welcome Space industries to Prestwick in the next year or so.”
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