THE GROUP bidding to make Prestwick Airport home to a new spaceport have welcomed the news that Scotland is to host the country’s first ‘vertical’ space launch site. 

The UK Space Agency announced that Sutherland would be used to launch vertical rockets spaceward.

Prestwick Airport sad the move was a ‘significant step’ for the UK and said that they were getting more support for their bid to become one of three ‘horizontal’ space launch ports. 

The spaceport bid is one of the key elements of the Ayrshire Growth Deal - a partnership between the three Ayrshire councils.

In a statement Prestwick Airport said: “We have been working hard with partners over the last 18 months and our concerted efforts will continue as we make horizontal space launch from Glasgow Prestwick Spaceport a reality.

“We believe Glasgow Prestwick is by far the most suitable spot for horizontal space launch in the UK in terms of location, capability and the thriving satellite manufacturing industry that exists on our doorstep.

“The news that the Space Agency is establishing a £2m fund to help the three UK horizontal sites develop the market is something we are now actively pursuing and we look forward to working with UKSA, CAA and HSE as we develop our plans and move towards a licence application.

“The development of a spaceport at Prestwick is a real opportunity for the Scottish and Ayrshire economies. The spaceport project is an integral part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal and will help attract new investment to the aerospace cluster located around the airport, safeguarding existing jobs and creating many new ones.

Councillor Douglas Campbell, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: “This is great news for the UK space industry and we’re already in contact with colleagues in Sutherland to help support the development of their launch site.

"Prestwick is still the most advanced site currently in the running for the UK’s first horizontal space launch and we’ll seek to use the development fund to cement our position.”