The UK’s plans to become the European centre of satellite launches may be finally coming to fruition.
In the mid-20th century, the space race was primarily fought by two world powers, the USSR and the USA. In recent years, the space industry has undergone a renewal and these old giants have awoken once more to assert themselves, but this time they are not alone.
New powers like China, India and Japan have moved onto the scene, keen to benefit from this stimulated industry.
In contrast to the early space race – where space programmes were run by governments – privately owned, space-faring enterprises have emerged across the 21st century and now represent a large part of the industry. Perhaps most well-known, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched satellites and taken part in International Space Station missions.
The UK is now looking for a stake in this rapidly accelerating market, but does it stand a chance?
A Small History
Historically, the UK has had a modest role in the global space industry. Caught up in the first throes of the Cold War, the UK’s initial interest in space was military motivated.
In 1962, the UK became the third ever satellite-operating nation (behind the USSR and USA). Across the mid-20th century, it took part in and supported several satellite launches.
The country is an active member of the European Space Agency and has contributed scientific elements to several missions.
To this day, the UK has only ever put one satellite into space with a British rocket. That may be set to change, however.
A Future Space Power?
In 2010, the UK government established the UK Space Agency (UKSA) – dedicated to expanding the space and satellite industry in the UK.
The UK space industry has outperformed the global space economy significantly and has tripled in size since 2000, currently representing 5.1% of the total market. The UK is aiming to consolidate its hold on the market and increase this to 10% by 2030.
Commercial launch demand is growing as the cost for launching satellites drops. The UK is capitalising on this, and with an existing strong satellite manufacturing industry, it is well placed to do so.
The geographical location of the UK is another advantage. It’s suited for launch sites – the northern position of the country means that it’s able to launch satellites into specific types of orbits around the Earth. Polar orbits, for example, are ideal for observation of Earth. It can also launch satellites over the Atlantic Ocean, away from population centres, so not to endanger anyone.
To achieve this, the UK is investing in several “spaceports” across the country. These will give the UK the capability to launch its own (and other countries’) satellites.
The first spaceports are planned to be built in Shetland and Sutherland. In a major boost earlier in 2020, plans were approved for the US aerospace company, Lockheed Martin, to launch its satellites from the soon-to-be Shetland Space Centre.
Meanwhile, Sutherland Spaceport has the backing of UK-based aerospace company, Orbex, which plans to launch it’s first rocket in 2022.
Elsewhere, Cornwall, Prestwick and Snowdonia have been awarded a £2 million fund to develop horizontal launch sites for the future.
Slowly, the UK is establishing itself as the European satellite launch destination of choice but with competition emerging across Europe from the likes of Norway, Sweden and Portugal, all of whom have their own spaceports planned, it will be anything but smooth sailing.
One thing is for certain however, the 2020s will be a very interesting decade for spaceflight.