BREAKING NEWS: Blow for Space Hub Sutherland as US rocket firm withdraws from site in favour of Shetland
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The US firm backing the planned Space Hub Sutherland has pulled out in favour of a location in Shetland, it has emerged.
The move by American rocket giant Lockheed Martin is a blow to the fledgling Far North space port development.
But SNP trade minister Ivan McKee has said Shetland and Sutherland space ports could complement each other.
Lockheed Martin announced it intends to transfer its satellite launch operations to Shetland Space Centre at Lamba Ness on Unst.
The firm has been one of the big backers of the Sutherland site, which still has support from the Moray-based aerospace firm Orbex.
Nik Smith, UK country executive at Lockheed Martin, said: "From the outset our focus has been on realising the greatest economic benefit for the UK through the space flight programme.
"The transfer of our UK space flight operations to Shetland will not only broaden launch options available in the UK, but also ensure the economic benefits of these endeavours are felt more widely.''
UK Space agency has confirmed that Lockheed Martin’s plans to move its UK Pathfinder Launch to Unst.
The £17.3 million, vertical launch Space Hub Sutherland, the first such development in Scotland to receive planning permission, is backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in addition to Orbex.
The UK Space Agency is also supporting Space Hub Sutherland to help Orbex launch its Prime rocket from the site in 2022, with plans for around 12 launches a year.
Orbex has already opened a rocket design and manufacturing facility in Forres near Inverness, which could bring 130 high-skill jobs to the region.
SNP trade minister Ivan McKee said Shetland and Sutherland space ports could complement each other.
He said: “This is an extremely exciting time for the emerging space sector globally, and Scotland is situated at the very forefront of this.
“The transfer of Lockheed Martin’s UK pathfinder satellite launch to Shetland Space Centre will enhance Scotland’s existing vertical launch capability and enable us to target a wider market base through a complementary offer across multiple space ports.
“This will provide an economic boost not only to the Shetland Isles but also maximise the commercial opportunity across the wider region, with Highlands and Islands Enterprise leading the delivery of Space Hub Sutherland alongside Scottish-based launch partner, Orbex.”
UK science minister Amanda Solloway added: “We want the UK to be the best place in Europe to launch satellites, attracting innovative businesses from all over the world and creating hundreds of high-skilled jobs.
“The potential to have multiple spaceports in Scotland demonstrates the scale of our ambition, and I want to support the industry by pressing ahead with our plans in this challenging time.
“This government is committed to backing our growing space sector, developing a comprehensive space strategy and supporting transformative technologies that will benefit people and businesses across the country.”
