Could space travellers take off from local airport? A new government fund could help it happen

The UK Space Agency has opened a £2 million development fund for horizontal spaceflight - whereby aircraft take off like a plane, rather than vertically like a rocket - and it says existing airports could develop new infrastructure to allow this to happen.

Future spaceports can apply for a share of the money to support plans for small satellite launch from aircraft and sub-orbital flight from the UK, Science Minister Chris Skidmore announced today.

Sites such as Newquay in Cornwall, Campbeltown and Glasgow Prestwick in Scotland, and Snowdonia in Wales are already developing their sub-orbital flight, satellite launch and spaceplane ambitions, he said. "The £2 million strategic development fund, opened by the UK Space Agency, will help sites like these accelerate their plans further."

Mr Skidmore added: "This new fund will help develop ambitious proposals to enable spaceplanes and aircraft capable of deploying satellites to operate from future UK spaceports, as part of the government’s modern industrial strategy.

"The potential spaceports can now submit applications to enable research into the market opportunities offered by new and emerging horizontal spaceflight technologies. Grant recipients can then use this research to develop an individual business case for offering horizontal launch services from the UK in the early 2020s, better positioning themselves to engage with potential suppliers and investors."

Individual applicants will be able to apply for up to £500,000 of funding and can find out more details on the UK Space Agency website.

Satellites provide services that enable a wide range of economic activities, supporting industries worth £300 billion to the UK. Earlier this year, the UK Space Agency revealed that every £1 of public spending generates up to £4 in value for the recipients in the space industry, with additional benefits to the UK economy.