Scotland's Opportunity in Space

Scotland has all the ingredients to become a global leader and innovator in the space industry: a robust end-to-end space sector, world-class universities and research facilities, centuries of innovation and invention, and perfect geography for launch operations.

While there's been much discussion about Scotland's potential in space, I want to explore both our outstanding assets and unique capabilities, as well as address what Scotland needs to truly become world-leading in the space sector.

The Old Stuff: Scotland's Legacy of Innovation

The influence of Scottish innovation extends far beyond space and engineering. As detailed in Arthur Herman's "How the Scots Invented the Modern World," Scottish thinkers and inventors laid the foundation for many modern institutions during the Scottish Enlightenment—pioneering fields from economics to philosophy to science—and profoundly shaped Western civilization.

Scotland's rich heritage in science and space innovation spans centuries. From Edinburgh's astronomical expertise dating back to 1583, to Glasgow's evolution from shipbuilding powerhouse to global satellite manufacturer, Scotland's journey has been remarkable.

Edinburgh established itself as an early center of astronomy with the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (founded 1818), which pioneered astronomical research and now leads space instrument development, including work on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Glasgow has transformed from the world's shipbuilding capital to Europe's leading manufacturer of CubeSats, building on its precision engineering heritage.

The New Stuff: Upstream, Downstream and Beyond Earth

Scotland has developed a comprehensive end-to-end space industry that spans three key segments: upstream, downstream, and beyond Earth operations.

In the upstream segment, Scotland excels in launch capabilities through spaceports like Saxavord and Sutherland Space Centre. Rocket and launch companies include Orbex and Skyrora, the latter creating a range of rocket and engines for different missions all using new eco-friendly fuels. The satellite manufacturing ecosystem includes industry leaders such as AAC Clyde Space, Spire Global, and Alba Orbital producing both nano and microsatellites, and supporting platforms, while Aurora Avionics and Sofant are hardware communications and avionics technology companies. Supporting these activities are research institutions and facilities like the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), and companies like Bright Ascension developing spacecraft software systems.

The downstream segment leverages Scotland's expertise in data analytics and artificial intelligence. Companies like Earth Blox and Space Intelligence provide Earth observation analytics, while Ecometrica specializes in environmental monitoring. The Edinburgh International Data Facility offers supercomputing capabilities essential for processing vast amounts of satellite data.

Along the way there are real space infrastructure companies that make all this work. Krucial combines satellite communications and cellular technology with the best of IoT - supporting industrial applications globally and in remote areas. Meanwhile Space Aye integrates real-time earth observation and billions of IoT devices around the world.

In the emerging Beyond Earth segment, Scotland is positioning itself through the National Robotarium, which focuses on robotics and autonomous systems for space applications. Companies like Astroscale (a Japanese company with a subsidiary in Scotland) are exploring satellite servicing technologies.

Optimal Launch Location

Saxavord Spaceport, located in Shetland, north of Scotland, offers an ideal geographic position (57-59°N) for launching satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. This allows Scotland to carve out a niche in the launch industry—launching small and medium rockets—distinct from larger US-based and equatorial launch sites, such as SpaceX's facilities at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

As the only fully licensed spaceport in Northern Europe, it has first-mover advantage. Its remote location, with launches over the North Sea and North Atlantic, minimizes environmental and marine impact while benefiting from uncrowded airspace. It's also economically viable for rocket launch companies, given its relatively easy access to the UK and continental Europe, compared to transporting rockets across the globe.

As a space launch location, Saxavord provides integration facilities, clean rooms, mission control, hot fire test beds, and other capabilities that support the needs of launch partners and operators.

From a competitive standpoint, Norway's Andøya spaceport isn't online yet but will offer similar capabilities. While there are over 30 spaceports worldwide (see Global Spaceport Alliance), there aren't many locations like Saxavord in the Northern Hemisphere—though Rocket Lab does have its launch facilities in New Zealand (Scotland of the Southern Hemisphere, anyone?). Most other facilities tend to be closer to the equator, something Scotland can't change. That's why we need to focus on our unique geographical advantages.

Industrial Supply Chain

Given Scotland's long history in shipbuilding, manufacturing, oil & gas, and technology innovation, we have a strong supply chain serving the entire industry. Additionally, with deeptech superclusters and the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS) based around Glasgow, there's a depth of engineering expertise to support space-specific innovations, startups, and established companies alike.

Further, Scotland's expertise in data and AI offers a subsegment with very high potential: digital twins and autonomous robotics provide new ways of managing space assets that would otherwise require expensive missions by the few humans who actually reach orbit.

Through legacy industries, new deep tech research, and now spaceport development, Scotland's supply chain can design, build, test, launch, and operate anything we want to put into space. We have the expertise, experience, and infrastructure.

Demand Outstrips Supply

Globally, the demand for launch capacity exceeds supply. With Saxavord Spaceport coming online in 2025, this additional—and reliable—capacity will serve the market well for smaller launch vehicles and missions.

But where does the demand actually come from? It stems from what's onboard these satellites (many of which are designed and manufactured in Scotland). Climate monitoring, Earth observation, secure communications, global logistics, finance, and insurance all require specialized equipment and sensors aboard these orbital assets. So beyond the demand for launches and satellites (think: Uber to low Earth orbit), the real money flows from commercial demand for data, analytics, and insights—something Scotland excels at!

Also on our horizon are "Beyond Earth" opportunities. There's a growing industry to service and maintain assets flying around Earth at 17,000 mph: keeping satellites in orbit, repairing and refueling them, and extending their life. New industries are also emerging in areas like in-orbit research and manufacturing, where microgravity offers unique opportunities to create new materials, drugs, and other laboratory-based innovations. While Scotland may not dominate this market, we can certainly develop our space ecosystem to meet some of these demands.

Rosy So Far?

So far, so good. Scotland has existing assets, infrastructure, amazing space companies, expertise, and research and development capability. Now let's consider what we need to become truly world-leading in the space sector.

Skills Development

Scotland has a long history of technical and engineering innovation, with a strong aerospace and manufacturing talent pool. This new wave of space technology is driving many high-end engineering, construction, and support services jobs.

However, we must do more to educate and prepare the future workforce for space sector jobs - including our fine history in space, and the benefits it brings to everyone on Earth.

Our universities need to keep producing talent that's not just space-related, but graduates who bring commercial, legal, financial, scientific, and other disciplines into the space industry.

The Scottish government and local authorities should strengthen STEM education to help high school students understand and get excited about space, and to support local companies to provide space training for apprentices and underserved communities, including women. Mark Logan has discussed this need to drive more education and entrepreneurship into high schools—we need to make it happen, and space is an excellent motivator.

International Focus

Through my years as a GlobalScot and working with Scottish Development International to bring investors to Scotland, I've noticed several areas where our tech ecosystem needs improvement.

First, we need a "global first" perspective on local companies' go-to-market strategy. Too many companies think about local markets before global market entry. This mindset, combined with the space industry's historically insular nature, means we must help companies think globally about their customer base. After all, space is global (some might say, universal!).

Second, we must focus on "global alliances." Partnerships are key to scaling and market entry, so we need to develop these early in the product lifecycle. We should think about what we export (IP, technology, services) as part of a global space supply chain.

Third, we need to help non-space industries and companies understand the benefits of leveraging space technology. This requires broadening our perspective, starting with educating young people about space applications, not just doing space for space's sake.

Cultural Evolution

The Scots can be quite conservative—risk-averse and cautious, though very technically talented. This shows in how we present ourselves to the world. We need to help entrepreneurs, and aspiring entrepreneurs, embrace risk-taking and potential failure. As a country, we need to celebrate this mindset.

We also need to focus on customer revenue. Too much of the space industry relies on government grants, which is limiting. We should encourage executives to prioritize revenues over grants and investment. "Government as a Customer" is fine—it changes the dynamic from handouts to accountability. Scottish Enterprise does excellent work funding startups, but they need to refine their strategy and ensure public funds are used responsibly, which may mean not providing follow-on grant allocations.

Public-Private Partnerships

We often talk about the "Triple Helix": the interaction between public sector (government), academia (research), and private sector (industry). Scotland excels at connecting the public sector and academia (note: all 19 Scottish universities are publicly funded!). Politics aside, what is missing is true integration with the private sector. While I don't have a silver bullet, this is what the Space Network aims to do: drive the commercialization of the space sector. It involves everything mentioned above: global focus, cross-industry education, revenue focus, partnerships, and understanding where government plays a key role (regulations, commercial contracts, etc).

There's one other missing piece: capital.

Attracting Smart Capital

I've written before about the need to attract "smart global capital." We need a mindset and culture that engages international investors who bring not just money, but connections, partners, and potential customers. For this, Scottish companies must be "investor ready": their pitch must be right, focused on unit economics, with a sensible approach to equity and strong sales capability. We need international mentors: GlobalScots, investors willing to build relationships, and industry executives.

That said, the value proposition for international investors in the Scottish space sector has incredibly high potential.

Final Thoughts

Scotland's space sector stands at a pivotal moment, with all the essential ingredients for success: world-class universities producing cutting-edge research, a robust manufacturing and engineering heritage, a perfect geographic location for launch, and an increasingly sophisticated ecosystem of space companies and supporting industries. The combination of these elements, coupled with strong government support and growing international recognition of Scotland's capabilities, positions the country uniquely in the global space market.

However, success isn't guaranteed, and Scotland must act decisively to seize this opportunity. By focusing on developing skills, attracting smart capital, fostering international partnerships, and nurturing a more entrepreneurial culture, Scotland can transform its space sector from a promising collection of assets into a true global leader.

The space industry offers Scotland not just economic benefits, but a chance to inspire future generations and contribute to solving some of humanity's greatest challenges through space technology and innovation.

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Other articles I have written about Scotland's tech and space ecosystem are here:

Glasgow: From Sail Ships to Space Ships

Edinburgh: Beam Me Up, Scotty

Scotland Needs Smart Global Capital