Leuchars could become home to Europe’s first spaceport but any ability to journey to the stars from Fife would only be temporary, according to the UK Government.
A three-month consultation has concluded that “military operational considerations” mean the former RAF base could not be the permanent home for commercial spaceflight operations.
However, unlike airfields at RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks, it has not been ruled out altogether with only Leuchars and Prestwick seen as having “good transport connections”.
The report said: “The planned future use of RAF Leuchars is likely to preclude it from being a permanent spaceport.
“However, at this early stage in identifying the best location, the Government does not wish to rule out the possibility of using a military airfield altogether.”
Those behind the project say a spaceport would open up the UK to tourism operators, like Virgin Galactic, and would see the sector bring in £40bn and 100,000 jobs if the 2030 target is met.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s shortlisted sites are Campbeltown, Prestwick and Stornoway, with Leuchars as a potential temporary facility, as well as Newquay in England and Llanbedr in Wales.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Launching satellites and operating commercial space flights from our shores was once only confined to the depths of science fiction, but with the results of this consultation we are one step closer to making this a very real ability in the near future.”
The next step is for the DfT to develop a detailed technical specification of spaceport requirements, prior to inviting proposals. This is due to be published later this year.”
Last year, the government launched its space innovation and growth strategy 2014 to 2030, which set out the economic advantages of the UK becoming a European focal point for the pioneers of commercial spaceflights and scientific research.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Courier.