Scottish Space Industry Looks To Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE—Scotland is looking to increase collaboration with Southeast Asian nations in space-based monitoring and launch services to boost its own commercial space sector.

Scotland will open its first spaceport before the end of the year and hopes its existing space industry ecosystem helps attract potential clients.

Speaking to Aerospace DAILY on the sidelines of the Global Space and Technology Convention 2023 in Singapore, Scottish Business Minister Ivan McKee said Feb. 18 that space—along with other sectors like renewable energy, data and Fintech—was an area Scotland was looking to strengthen in, especially after Brexit.

Officials from the devolved Scottish Government have been in talks with the Indonesian and Malaysian space agencies to discuss satellite monitoring in the areas of forestry and natural disaster support.

“The Malaysians have already been to Scotland—we expect them to come back soon, to continue to explore for businesses to support their space aspirations. I think [the partnership with Malaysia] is moving quite fast, in terms of identifying business-to-business collaboration,” the Scottish National Party politician said.

McKee also shared potential collaboration with Indonesia on potential spaceports, given the country’s position on the equator.

“I think [launch services are] very much something that has been considered. The interesting part of that is Scotland’s location in the northern hemisphere allows polar orbits, but Indonesia could allow equatorial orbits. You can cover both types of orbits, which is really helpful. I think that’s an interesting opportunities for collaboration,” McKee said.

The Indonesian government has previously invited SpaceX to visit the country and study the feasibly of building a spaceport, currently suggested for the island of Biak.