The Scottish Affairs Committee will question space sector
Minister, , in the final evidence session
of its inquiry into Scotland's rocket launch capabilities.
Alongside the Minister, the committee will hear from academics,
satellite manufacturers, regulatory bodies and government
agencies.
In the first panel, Members will hear from academics and
satellite manufacturer AAC Clyde Space. Questions could explore
the key challenges and opportunities for Scotland in achieving
launch readiness, the demand for small satellite launches and the
role of academia and government in advancing the launch sector
and space technology.
In the second panel, Members will then question the Civil
Aviation Authority, the UK's aviation regulator. They may discuss
the Authority's role and performance as space regulator,
including the licensing processes for launch companies, and how
its regulatory approach has attracted other launch providers to
Scotland.
In the final session, the committee will hear from DSIT minister
with responsibility for the space sector, Sir MP, and the UK Space Agency.
MPs are likely to discuss how the UK Government is supporting
Scotland to achieve end-to-end launch capability, the
sustainability of launch activity and the role of the government
as a customer.
Questions could also be asked about how Scotland's space sector
can differentiate itself from other competitors across Europe and
the world.
Witnesses at 9.30am:
- Patrick Harkness, Professor of Exploration Technology,
University of Glasgow
- Malcolm Macdonald, Director of the Centre for Signal and
Image Processing, University of Strathclyde
- Dr Christie Maddock, Senior Lecturer, Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering, University of Strathclyde
- Dr Pam , Vice President Future Programmes,
AAC Clyde Space
Witnesses at 10.10am:
- Colin Macleod, Head of the UK Space Regulator, Civil Aviation
Authority
- Rosie Whitbread, Head of Space Regulation Policy, Civil
Aviation Authority
Witnesses at 10.50am:
- Sir MP, Minister of State for
Data Protection and Telecoms, Department for Science,
Innovation and Technology
- Matt Archer, Missions and Capabilities Director for Launch,
UK Space Agency
- Chris White-Horne, Intermin Space Director, Department for
Science, Innovation and Technology and Deputy CEO, UK Space
Agency
/ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- This is the second evidence session of the committee's
inquiry. In the previous evidence session, Members heard from the
spaceport SaxaVord and companies that are developing rockets.
Full details can be found here.
- This inquiry follow's up on the previous Scottish Affairs
Committee's inquiry into Scotland's space
sector. This inquiry was closed early in May 2024 following
the announcement of a General Election. Whilst the previous
inquiry focused on the whole space sector, this inquiry focuses
solely on Scotland's launch capabilities.
