Scotland's Space Sector

I am writing to you in your capacity as Chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee following the recent launch of the Committee's inquiry into Scotland's space sector.

HMG is committed to supporting the growth of a vibrant UK space sector, including the emerging spaceflight industry. Through establishing the UK as a leading provider of small satellite launch services in Europe, this not only provides the UK with important strategic capability, but also delivers on the Government’s mission to foster UK job creation and economic growth nationwide.
 

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of this growing industry. It offers a strategic capability which could, if successful, provide much-needed diversity and resilience in launch capabilities for the UK and its Allies. We have supported these ambitions in a number of ways, including operational support, working with key Allies and NATO, and reviewing Defence’s satellite launches to identify opportunities to use UK launch where appropriate to do so. We will continue to provide support. 
 

I appreciate the Committee's interest in this topic and am pleased to submit to the inquiry the written evidence under Annex A.
 

RT HON MARIA EAGLE MP

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry

Annex A

Written Evidence Submitted by the Ministry of Defence

Strategic Benefits

The development of the UK launch sector offers strategic benefits for both the UK and its allies. By establishing a robust launch capability, the UK could enhance its national security, reduce reliance on other nations for space access, and bolster growth, including in Scotland. A thriving UK launch sector could strengthen international collaboration, providing avenues for partnerships and advancements in the global space industry, including with European partners and NATO.

By establishing the UK as a leading provider of small satellite launch services in Europe, there is the potential for job creation, economic growth, and enhanced national security.  This could boost the local economy, particularly in Scotland's thriving space sector, and also position the UK as a major player in the global space industry, attracting investment, generating jobs, and stimulating economic growth. The Ministry of Defence's support for the UK’s ambitions, through operational and international assistance, underscores the importance of nurturing the UK launch sector for long-term success and security.

Previous Support

The Ministry of Defence has provided operational and logistic support to the Virgin Orbit (VO) launch, demonstrating a commitment to facilitating successful launches and enhancing national security through space capabilities. Additionally, the deployment of defence satellites on the VO launch attempt underscores the integration of defence requirements with commercial space activities.

International Engagement

The Ministry of Defence is supporting the UK Government's efforts to connect the UK launch sector with launch requirements from allies, fostering international collaborations and interoperability in space operations. Moreover, initiatives like NATO's STARLIFT programme, where we are playing a leading role, aim to enhance industrial capability and access to space through responsive launch options from allied nations, further strengthening partnerships and capabilities in the space domain.  The STARLIFT programme aims to establish a network of space launch capabilities within the alliance, enhancing our partners' and allies' capabilities while offering potential to support the UK’s position as a leading space launch nation.

The UK Government's focus on utilising domestic launch capabilities for both defence and civil purposes opens doors for collaboration with international partners. While the UK launch industry is still developing, collaboration between government, industry, and international entities is crucial for building a scalable and sustainable launch capability. Initiatives like STARLIFT play a key role in facilitating this collaboration and fostering a shared network of launch capabilities across the alliance.

Domestic Support

In addition to engaging Allies and partners, the Ministry of Defence is also developing options for routine support to specific launch cases. This includes as part of the licensing process in support of the Civil Aviation Authority, and assessing options for future Defence activities to support and/or make use of UK launch, such as keeping our own satellite launches under review to identify opportunities for use of UK launch services.

May 2025