The state-of-the-art facility, which is the largest of its kind in the UK, represents another step forward for the UK’s burgeoning space sector.
The government currently hopes to grow the UK’s share of the global space market to 10 per cent by 2030. It aims to build multiple spaceports in the UK, with a view to seeing commercial sub-orbital spaceflight and space tourism from UK spaceports.
In October, Skyrora signed a deal with a spaceport based on the Shetland islands that could see rocket launches take place in the UK this year at the earliest.
It said its new Midlothian facility would have a lower carbon footprint compared to having to transport engines and equipment to third-party facilities. It will also harness its natural surroundings and use rainfall from the Scottish Lowlands as part of the cooling systems of the test stand.
...