8.12.2025
Scotland’s space sector needs to be “unleashed” and allow energy in the sector to be supported by government will, a major player in the industry said.
The SaxaVord spaceport is based in Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland islands. Picture: SaxaVord/PA Wire | PA
The head of the Shetland spaceport has called on government to “empower” the industry by ensuring the regulatory framework allows firms to thrive.
Scott Hammond, CEO of SaxaVord, the first fully licensed vertical launch site in Europe, also said he hoped that in five to ten years’ time, the spaceport would be owned by a pension fund, pointing out that such an arrangement would recognise how the facility is “run of the mill infrastructure” and part of the “day to day lives” of people.
Speaking at the Space-Comm Expo Scotland event in Glasgow last week, Mr Hammond said the site, based in the island of Unst, was “enabling space transport,” and characterised the description of SaxaVord as a “train station” as “not unreasonable.”
He said there was a “massive opportunity” for “end to end capability” in Scotland, envisioning a scenario where an industry currently regarded as cutting edge would eventually be viewed as ordinary.
“Hopefully in a few years time, people in Glasgow will just think, ‘Oh yeah, that’s our spaceport’. It won’t be as cool as it is now, it’ll become mundane, and that’s really, really exciting as far as I’m concerned.”
Mr Hammond said it was the role of those in government to “empower” firms in the space sector, explaining: “The government should allow the regulatory framework and the environment to allow businesses to thrive. We’ve heard from Dr Paul Bate [CEO of the UK Space Agency] about investment by the private sector, which is always welcome, but that investment has to bring returns.
“We can only do that if we’re actually unleashed, and I expect there are a number of start up companies that are just waiting for the opportunity to actually go and do something really special. So for me, the government needs to set that environment where businesses can go and thrive.
“If you’re talking to your local politician or a civil servant, tell them that. Let us grow this industry, because it’s ready to really, really expand in Scotland. “
Business Minister Richard Lochhead announced at the conference that it was now time to review Scotland’s national space strategy.
He later added: “We are in a good place but things are moving fast... we have to capture all the changes that have been happening and make sure that Scotland's fit for purpose.”
The first launches of satellites into orbit are expected from SaxaVord next year, and once operational, it is anticipated that the spaceport will launch up to 30 rockets per year.
That workload is also expected to require an upscaling in its staff and operations, something that Mr Hammond pointed out would require further improvements in and around the site. That included the potential creation of undersea tunnels connecting the Shetland archipelago, a development he said would “really improve things” for the spaceport.
The landmark Space-Comm Expo Scotland event also saw tributes paid to SaxaVord’s founder and former CEO, Frank Strang, who died in August aged 67 after a short battle with cancer.
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive officer of the UK Space Agency, was among those to praise Mr Strang’s vision and determination.
“Frank made a really unique contribution to the spade sector through his relentless enthusiasm, and his ability to confound expectations,” he told the conference.
“He didn't muck around, he got things done. He was straight talking to the point of being challenging but he did it with kindness, compassion, and a deep passion for his team and the project at SaxaVord, and what it meant to Shetland, Scotland, and how it contributed to the world's ambitions. He showed that passion can be a superpower and I think we can all learn from that.”
Minister for Business Richard Lochhead described Scotland as “not just an emerging space nation” but “one of the best places in Europe to locate, invest and grow.”
He said: “The Scottish Government continues to support the sector directly: across our enterprise agencies and national programmes we are investing in skills, innovation, business growth and infrastructure including support for satellite manufacturing, launch readiness, photonics capability and key supply-chain firms.
“We are in a good place but things are moving fast and I've agreed with the chief executive of Space Scotland and the chair of the Scottish Space Academic Forum that it's now time to review Scotland's national space strategy. That will happen over the next year and will point the way forward to the next few decades, because we have to capture all the changes that have been happening and make sure that Scotland's fit for purpose.
“What Scotland needs, and what the UK Government must continue to provide going forward, is clarity, ambition and a steady commitment to supporting the whole UK space sector. I urge the UK Government to step up to the plate and do even more to ensure that we have an industry that is firing on all thrusters.
Quelle: THE SCOTSMAN