UK sites shortlisted for new supersonic flights
A new spaceport offering supersonic round-the-world flights as well as commercial trips into space could be built in Campbeltown, Glasgow or Stornoway in Scotland or in Newquay or Llanbedr in Wales.
The locations were all named yesterday as possible sites for the spaceport which has won Government backing following a three-month consultation.
The spaceport, which ministers are hoping will be open by 2018, will be the first outside the US. It is hoped it will attract companies like Virgin Galactic and XCOR Aerospace to fly from the site.
At the moment, Virgin Galactic is running unmanned test flights into space from a purpose-built spaceport in the Mojave Desert.
"Launching satellites and operating commercial space flights from our shores was once only confined to the depths of science fiction," said Vince Cable, the business secretary. "But with the results of this consultation we are one step closer to making this a very real ability in the near future."
"I want Britain to lead the way in commercial spaceflight," said aviation minister Robert Goodwill. "Establishing a spaceport will ensure we are at the forefront of this exciting new technology."
Authorities said the precise location of the spaceport will depend on a number of factors, including limiting danger and inconvenience for members of the public. All the earmarked sites are near to the coast, so aircraft could fly out over water.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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