My Column

Incredible spaceport will be out of this world

  • Date: Monday 23rd July 2018
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Us Scots are fond of using intergalactic vernacular when it comes to describing those we consider to be a little unhinged.

That guy who’s had a few too many shandies and got a bit out of control might be considered a ‘pure rocket’, while the girl who’s in her own little world is likely to get a reputation for being a complete ‘space cadet’.

However, I wondered if I might be losing the plot myself when I found out where the UK’s first spaceport was to be sited. Had I become the space cadet?

No, it seems Scotland will actually be achieving lift-off on the world stage in the next decade after the boggy and remote A’Mhoine Peninsula in Sutherland was named as the spot in question last week by Business Secretary Greg Clark.

So, are we joining the space race, and sending Irn Bru and caramel wafers to Venus and Mars? Not quite. The Sutherland site will be used to launch rockets that will put satellites into orbit.

Nevertheless, it’s undoubtedly an exciting development that places Scotland firmly on the map with the direct creation of 40 jobs and the supporting of up to 400 jobs in the wider economy – and it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that it’s landed here.

The likes of Glasgow’s AAC Clyde Space have been pioneering the development of small satellites for some time, while Scottish industry is well-placed to reap the knock-on benefits of delivering turn key products around the new Sutherland venture.

Fundamentally, we’re great at the research, development, manufacture and application of satellites. Everything from satellites that monitor weather and relay communications, to those that take pictures of Earth activity.  

How did this all come about? Well, the move is part of a package of grants that is designed to foster UK launch capability.

The UK Space Agency is giving Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) £2.5m towards the development of the facility.

HIE will work closely with a consortium, including the American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, and the latter wants to bring the Electron rocket to Scotland for the first time after the UK Space Agency awarded it £23m.

While this currently flies out of New Zealand, a new, improved version will launch from Scottish soil.

Furthermore, space launch company Orbex will be developing a new factory in Scotland which will hone rocket production and related vehicle integration, representing a further local boost.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport meanwhile has been earmarked to host a ‘horizontal launch’ spaceport, which along with others planned for Cornwall and North Wales, could be worth some £3.8bn to the UK economy.

These spaceports would see a modified aeroplane flying out over the ocean and then releasing a rocket that can put a satellite in orbit.

Virgin believes that horizontal launches mean cheaper spaceflight as they take place away from busy launchpads, and a maiden flight is thought to be imminent.

While it’s all very positive news, the advice to Holyrood is that Scotland has to act fast in order to capture the moment and stop opportunities being snapped up by other countries.

It’s clearly a lucrative opportunity too, considering the amount of money that’s already been invested – and the significant sums that will no doubt be invested too going forward.

If satellite launches are to be a cornerstone of our economy both now and in the future, then count me in - I’m a space cadet.

 

SIDE

I was very proud to be one of 900 guests at an inspirational event in Edinburgh last week.

The Hunter Foundation fundraiser at the EICC welcomed Michelle Obama as guest speaker – and the former US first lady certainly lived up to her reputation as a great orator.

Mrs Obama spoke with conviction and passion about her daughters and made it clear she believes we still have a lot to do to ensure that girls are safe in the world. She wants her daughters to be treated equally in the workplace and to have more opportunities to learn within an environment that’s conducive to their success.

She also spoke at length about how the event will help those who are less fortunate within our communities, explaining that profits from ticket sales will be going to more than one thousand good causes all over Scotland.

This was Mrs Obama’s first international appearance since leaving the White House and it was a real privilege to be there to experience it.

I’m a great believer in using these big events to raise money for charity.

Getting Michelle Obama there was a fantastic coup for Sir Tom Hunter and the Foundation in the year after Michelle’s husband and former US president Barack was guest speaker at the event.

Events like these are great for networking and making strong business connections and I think it’s fantastic that the money they generate is ploughed back into communities.

To date, the Hunter Foundation has generated more than £55 million for good causes and I’m looking forward to finding out how much the EICC event has raised for charity this time around.

 

WEEP

The success of Scotland’s tourism industry has an imprint on our economy overall so it was a real shock to hear that the sector is now facing some challenges.

A survey carried out by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, reveals that 48 per cent of firms north of the Border are struggling to recruit staff. This number includes retail, tourism and construction.

Insiders reckon the dramatic drop in immigration from other EU countries since the Brexit vote in 2016 is to blame.  

As no one knows exactly what is going to happen with Brexit, it’s understandable that people are cautious.

I hope that our tourism bodies can work together to encourage more people to consider employment on our shores.

 

LAUGH

Hearing that a furniture store in Dundee is selling a £75,000 bed wasn’t, in fact, a dream.

Gillies in Broughty Ferry is giving customers the chance to see Vispring’s Diamond Majesty bed and to place orders for their own custom-made version.  

This is a fantastic business move by Gillies - it will undoubtedly attract customers who want to see what all the fuss is about, and even if the store doesn’t take any orders, footfall will increase.

The slumber chamber is on a week-long tour of the UK and its mattress alone – made with cashmere, silk and bamboo – is worth £40,000.

I still don’t think it’s for me but I’ll sleep on it and let you know.

 

 

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