Martin Coates, the CEO of Forres-based orbital launch service company Orbex, also told the Sunday National that the nation’s space sector can develop an even bigger lead with the right support.
He added: “Can Scotland develop a bigger lead? Yes. And that’s where us and other industry players come into it.” Coates says there are lots of things to be optimistic about when it comes to establishing Scotland as a launch capital, but there are still challenges for companies like Orbex that need to be addressed.
Virgin Orbit – which has since declared bankruptcy – and some of its satellite customers were critical of the UK regulatory process, which was led by the Civil Aviation Authority. “The site is less than two hectares. There is a lot of care and attention to restoring the peat, putting in the right drainage and making sure we can collect any fuel spills.