Space flights could soon be lifting off from Scotland as the UK is to be the first European country to launch space flights and satellites from home soil after new regulations came into force.

The legislation provides the framework to regulate the UK space industry and will unlock “a potential £4 billion of market opportunities over the next decade”, according to the Department for Transport (DfT) - creating thousands of jobs and benefiting communities right across the UK.

The first launch is expected to take place next year.

Five out of seven UK spaceports are planned for Scotland. Proposed locations include; the Western Isles, Glasgow, Machrihanish, Sutherland and Shetland. 

Currently, many European companies launch from a site in French Guiana, South America.

 

It is hoped the UK space industry will launch satellites to improve satnav systems, and boost the monitoring of weather patterns and climate change.

Space tourism trips and hypersonic flights – which are faster than the speed of sound – will eventually launch from the UK, the DfT claimed.

Mr Shapps said: “We stand on the cusp of the new commercial space age, and this is the blast-off moment for the UK’s thriving space industry, demonstrating Government’s commitment to put Britain at the global forefront of this sector.

“These regulations will help create new jobs and bring economic benefits to communities and organisations right across the UK, helping us to level up as we inspire the next generation of space scientists and engineers.”

Howard Nye, president of the Royal Aeronautical Society, said it was a “landmark day for the UK’s space sector”.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been formally appointed as regulator of the UK space industry following 18 months of preparation.

READ MORE: Scotland bids to be greenest space port in the world

The body announced it is ready to receive applications for launch licences.

Colin Macleod, head of UK space regulation at the CAA, said it has built an “experienced team working across policy, engineering and licensing”.

He added: “We will act in a safe, secure and sustainable manner to protect the people and property involved, other airspace users and enable a growing and active space industry.”

Safety incidents involving space flights in or over the UK will be investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which already examines aviation accidents.

Crispin Orr, chief inspector of spaceflight accidents, said: “Our inspectors will conduct spaceflight investigations with the same rigour, expertise and professionalism that we are renowned for in aviation.”