Shetland can be ‘at the heart’ of UK space industry, says minister

Shetland can be ‘at the heart’ of the space industry in the UK, a new Scotland Office minister has said.In his first engagements since being appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, John Lamont visited the SaxaVord space port on Unst.He said: ‘The port is on track to launch satellites next year from one of its three orbital launch pads.’There is a huge opportunity for Shetland to be a world leader in terms of space technology deployment – the spaceport at SaxaVord has unique geographical advantages that we are keen to help them exploit.’We’re working hard to become the first in Europe to provide end-to-end solutions – from design and build to lift-off – for small satellites, and the development of different launch sites is a crucial part of that.”This is a very exciting project, and the wider space industry has huge potential to create rewarding and skilled careers, not just throughout Scotland but across the UK as a whole – Shetland can be at the heart of that.’Mr Lamont also visited the Scottish Sea Farms salmon fishery in Burra, and met representatives of the Scottish Shellfish Co-operative.Shetland Islands Council convener Andrea Manson said she was ‘delighted’ to host Mr Lamont on his first ministerial visit, adding they had discussed ‘fixed links and levelling up’.Mr Lamont said a repeated theme was that of connectivity during his visit.