Committees

Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch

Inquiry

In June 2023, the previous Scottish Affairs Committee began an inquiry into Scotland’s space sector. That broad inquiry examined the space sector’s contribution to Scotland’s economy, and how the UK Government could support the industry to become a world leader. You can read the call for evidence for that inquiry here. Work on that inquiry was interrupted by the General Election and dissolution of Parliament on 30 May 2024.

Following on from an initial evidence session with SaxaVord Spaceport and launch providers in February 2025, the Committee has launched a short inquiry, focused specifically on Scotland’s launch capability. The inquiry will examine recent developments in Scotland’s space launch sector since the Committee last looked at this issue in early 2024, further challenges and opportunities the industry may face now and in the future, and areas in which Government support can help the sector to realise its enormous potential.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Monday 19 May 2025.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 23 April 2025
9:15am Private
9:30am Public
Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch - Oral evidence 23 April 2025
9:30am
  • Professor Malcolm Macdonald (Director of the Centre for Signal and Image Processing at University of Strathclyde)
  • Professor Patrick Harkness (Professor of Exploration Technology at University of Glasgow)
  • Dr Christie Maddock (Senior Lecturer, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of Strathclyde)
  • Dr Pamela Smith (Vice President of Future Programmes at AAC Clyde Space)
10:10am
  • Colin Macleod (Head of the UK Space Regulator at UK Civil Aviation Authority)
  • Rosie Whitbread (Head of Space Regulation Policy at UK Civil Aviation Authority)
10:50am
  • Sir Chris Bryant MP (Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
  • Chris White-Horne (Interim Space Director at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Deputy CEO at UK Space Agency)
  • Matthew Archer (Missions and Capabilities Director for Launch at UK Space Agency)
Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 5 February 2025
9:30am Public
Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch - Oral evidence 5 February 2025
9:30am
  • Scott Hammond (Deputy Chief Executive Officer at SaxaVord Spaceport)
10:10am
  • Nik Smith (Regional Director for UK and Europe at Lockheed Martin)
  • Phil Chambers (Chief Executive Officer at Orbex)
10:50am
  • Ruari Brooker (Business Development Manager at HyImpulse)
  • Jörn Spurmann (Chief Commercial Officer at Rocket Factory Augsburg)
  • Alan Thompson (Head of Government Affairs at Skyrora)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster

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