Subscribe now

Space

UK announces plans for two spaceports that could see launches by 2021

By Paul Marks

16 July 2018

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

An artist’s impression of the Sutherland spaceport

Perfect Circle PV

You wait decades for a spaceport and then two come along at once. That was the scene at the Farnborough International Airshow today, where the UK Space Agency revealed plans to fund the establishment of a rocket launchpad on the bleak, boggy A’Mhoine peninsula in Sutherland on Scotland’s northern coast.

In addition, the UKSA is also backing plans to fly satellite-launching rockets strapped to aircraft taking off from a former Royal Air Force base near Newquay, in the west of England.

The government says it hopes to give companies and…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop