Scottish Space Agency – A discussion on Scotland’s place in the space industry
Policy Paper
Credits — Craig Berry
Overview
This paper proposes a Scottish Space Agency and Spaceport to make Scotland a world leader in industry sector of the future.
This report examines the condition of the Scottish Space Industry in a UK and global context, and from its current strong standpoint it looks into its options available in becoming a international leader in a fast and vastly growing industry.
Key Points
Scotland should develop a Scottish Space Agency to drive the Scottish space industry in the right direction.
Scotland needs to invest in the Scottish space infrastructure by developing a Scottish Spaceport, the first in the European Union before such infrastructure and jobs are developed elsewhere.
18% of all employees in the UK space industry are based in Scotland (7,000 jobs).
UK labour productivity in the space sector is 2.7 times higher than the UK average, with Gross Value Added at £133,233 per employee.
The space sector currently provides £134m net value to the Scottish economy.
Investment in Research & Development as a percentage of total income has decreased sharply, from 90% in 2012/13 to 3% in 2014/15.
The Brexit and Scottish independence transitions may cause problems, but it is difficult identify the exact nature of these problems until negotiations are completed.
Cooperation is vital to keep the Scottish space industry healthy, working with the ESA, UKSA and many other space industries.
Glasgow has recently sold the largest number of satellites out of all European cities.
To further enhance the Scottish nanosatellite market, the Scottish Space Agency should look to develop a Federated Satellite System.
