Scottish Innovation Minister will tell business leaders
in Germany that the space industry should be a “force for good”.
Scotland is leading by example through the sustainable design,
manufacture and launch of small satellites to monitor the effects
of climate change or provide communications services.
The Minister will expand on that pioneering approach when
addressing delegates at Bremen’s Space Tech Expo Europe on
Tuesday during a three-day visit to build international trade and
partnership. Mr Lochhead will join a Scottish Development
International-led delegation of 23 Scottish businesses and
organisations at the leading trade show for the space industry in
Europe.
The conference brings together industry representatives,
investors and ministers from countries including the UK, Germany,
the Netherlands, France and other European countries to showcase
technological advances.
Mr Lochhead said:
“Scotland’s innovative scientists and engineers lead the way
across the space industry; from designing, manufacturing and
launching satellites to finding novel uses for the data generated
which benefit our people and economy.
“The knowledge produced has never been more important - from
tackling deforestation to predicting farms at risk of losing
productivity – and we want to collaborate with international
partners in this shared and urgent task of addressing climate
change.
“Scotland was amongst the first to recognise the need for ethical
practices in seizing new opportunities from the increasingly
clear window onto our world supplied by satellites. Glasgow is
the biggest manufacturer of small satellites outside the US and
by publishing the first ever Space Sustainability Roadmap we have
set out how the sector can help achieve climate change targets.
“I am committed to promoting space as a force for good, in
climate monitoring and minimising the environmental impact of
manufacturing, launching and disposing of small satellites.”
Background
A Space Strategy for
Scotland
Sustainability Roadmap for
Scotland (spacescotland.org) (PDF)
According to the most recent figures (for 2019-20) around 8,440
jobs in Scotland are created by the industry - almost one fifth
of all UK space sector jobs.
Mr Lochhead is also scheduled to meet Lower Saxony
Minister-President Stephan Weil to discuss plans for the
production and export of hydrogen fuel produced sustainably using
renewable energy.
Hydrogen action plan - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
