This paper proposes a Scottish Space Agency and Spaceport to make Scotland a world leader in an industry sector of the future.
― Scotland should develop a Scottish Space Agency to drive the Scottish space industry in the right direction.
― Scotland needs to invest in the Scottish space infrastructure by developing a Scottish Spaceport, the first in the European Union before such infrastructure and jobs are developed elsewhere.
― 18% of all employees in the UK space industry are based in Scotland (7,000 jobs).
― UK labour productivity in the space sector is 2.7 times higher than the UK average, with Gross Value Added at £133,233 per employee.
― The space sector currently provides £134m net value to the Scottish economy.
― Investment in Research & Development as a percentage of total income has decreased sharply, from 90% in 2012/13 to 3% in 2014/15.
― The Brexit and Scottish independence transitions may cause problems, but it is difficult identify the exact nature of these problems until negotiations are completed.
― Cooperation is vital to keep the Scottish space industry healthy, working with the ESA, UKSA and many other space industries.
― Glasgow has recently sold the largest number of satellites out of all European cities.
― To further enhance the Scottish nanosatellite market, the Scottish Space Agency should look to develop a Federated Satellite System.