UK plans to launch missiles from Scotland from 2020 2020

The United Kingdom has designated the Scottish town of Sutherland as a region from which small missile launches should take place in the future. The first launches are planned for 2020.

Space agency UK Space Agency announces that 2.5 million pounds, converted approximately 2.8 million euros, is available for the development of the first British spaceport in the northern Sutherland. According to the BBC, the American Lockheed Martin is interested in a collaboration with the British space agency. For example, the company would like to launch Electron rockets from the manufacturer Rocket Lab from Scotland. These 17-meter-long rockets are currently being launched from New Zealand. Lockheed would then develop a staircase of the British version of this missile, according to the BBC.

The spaceport would make it possible to design, build and launch rockets in the UK. For example, the payload of the missiles could include satellites. According to the BBC, not only the Electron models are a possible candidate, but also the LauncherOne. It has a length of about sixteen meters. The planned spaceport is located between the towns of Tongue and Durness.