Minister Freeman questioned on UK’s space launch prospects
The Science Minister George Freeman faces the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee in a hearing on the future of the UK space launch sector, following the failed satellite launch from Spaceport Cornwall and the collapse of Virgin Orbit.
Meeting details
MPs examine progress towards establishing vertical orbital launch facilities at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands and Sutherland Spaceport in North Scotland. The Committee also takes further evidence on the UK’s spaceflight licensing process after it was criticised for being difficult to navigate by Virgin Orbit and Space Forge in the Committee’s previous session examining the failed launch.
Following that session on 1 March, the Committee received a joint letter from Minister George Freeman and Minister Jesse Norman raising concerns about the criticisms as well as further written evidence on the licensing process.