Jobs boost for Shetland as spaceport is cleared for lift-off
More than 600 jobs could be created under plans to transfer a major satellite launch operation from Sutherland to Shetland Space Centre.
The UK Space Agency has confirmed that Lockheed Martin will move its UK Pathfinder Launch project to the Shetland site at Lamba Ness on Unst.
The firm was originally set to run the project at Space Hub Sutherland site on the Melness Crofting Estate, near Tongue but the Shetland site was decided to be a better technical fit.
M o r e t h a n 6 0 0 j o b s c o u l d b e created after plans were approved to transfer a major s a t e l l i t e l a u n c h o p e r a t i o n from Sutherland to Shetland Space Centre.
The UK Space Agency has c o n f i r m e d t h a t L o c k h e e d Martin will move its UK Pathfinder Launch project to the Shetland site at Lamba Ness on Unst.
The firm was originally set t o r u n t h e p r o j e c t a t S p a c e Hub Sutherland site on the Melness Crofting Estate, near Tongue but the Shetland site was decided to be a better technical fit, it is understood.
T h e c ompany wa s e a r li e r s e l e c te d by t h e UK g ove r n - ment to help create a market for commercial launches of satellites and grow the “next space age”.
S c i e n c e m i n i s t e r A m a n - da S olloway said: “We want the UK to be the best place in Europ e to launch satellites,
a t t r a c t i n g i n n ova t ive b u s i - nesses from all over the world a n d c r e a t i n g h u n d r e d s o f high-skilled jobs.
"The potential to have multiple spacepor ts in S cotland demonstrates the scale of our ambition, and I want to supp o r t i n d u s t r y b y p r e s s i n g ahead with our plans during this challenging time.
“This government is committed to backing our growing space sector, developing a comprehensive space strategy and supporting transformat i ve t e c h n o l o g i e s t h a t w i l l benefit people and businesses across the country.”
I a i n S t e wa r t , U K G ove r n - ment Minister for S cotland, said the move to Shetland was a “huge step forward” for the UK Spaceflight programme.
Shetland Space Centre will build infrastructure to handle the arrival of the UK Pathfinder Launch, with Lockheed Martin to create a launch vehicle – or rocket – that will send satellites into space from the site.
An orbital manoeuvrevehicle that will release and accurately lo cate the satellites – such as those used to gather meteorological information – will also be dispatched from Shetland.
Orbex, a Forres-based aerospace company which has partnered with the UK Space Agency, will continue to work towards launching its small commercial orbital rocket at Sutherland in 2022.
The UK Space Agency said it would continue to support Space Hub Sutherland.