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<p>The Government’s ambition is for a UK spaceport that will be an integral part of
Britain’s future in space, providing a focus for regional and international investment,
creating new job opportunities, supporting our existing cutting-edge technology companies,
and securing UK leadership in an important emerging market.</p><p>The Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) has studied the potential for horizontal, sub-orbital spaceplane operations
from the UK <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commercial-spaceplane-certification-and-operations-uk-government-review"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commercial-spaceplane-certification-and-operations-uk-government-review</a>.</p><p>
</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>The Government’s
aim now is to create the infrastructure and regulatory environment to operate these
innovative technologies safely and commercially, alongside existing civilian and military
users.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p>Following consultation
on criteria identified by the CAA for locating a UK spaceport <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/spaceport-locations-and-criteria"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/spaceport-locations-and-criteria</a>,
Llanbedr Airfield, along with Campbeltown Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Newquay
Cornwall Airport and Stornoway, were identified as potential locations for a permanent
UK spaceport. RAF Leuchars was identified as a potential temporary facility.</p><p>
</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>The Government
is now focussed on developing a technical specification of requirements to provide
potential locations with clarity on the detail of what becoming a UK spaceport would
involve. It is critical that we provide as much certainty as possible so that potential
locations can assess whether spaceplane operations are both feasible and deliverable.</p><p
/> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>The United States is recognised as
the leading nation on commercial sub-orbital spaceflight, and we are currently seeking
input on our work from a number of US-based organisations. We are planning to share
our work on the detailed technical requirements with all potential locations from
September this year.</p><p /> <p> </p><p> </p>
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