A Moray councillor believes the region should boldly grab the chance to become the base for the UK’s first spaceport with both hands.
Graham Leadbitter said there was a “serious possibility” the region could land the facility – and a huge boost to the local economy.
RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks were both named recently on a UK Government shortlist of possible sites where rockets, satellites and even tourists could be launched into orbit.
Experts have long described Moray as the “obvious” location for the port because of the runways at the two sites – RAF Kinloss used to be the main base for the air force’s fleet of Nimrod maritime patrol planes – as well as their proximity to the coast and the relatively clear path north over the sea they offer.
Last month, local councillors backed the development as an economic priority.
The global space market is estimated to be worth £400billion.
The Moray Economic Partnership is taking the lead in responding to a government consultation on the project.
Elgin City South SNP councillor Mr Leadbitter, who is his party’s economic development spokesman on Moray Council, said last night: “The SNP has been consistently arguing the case that Moray has strong potential for a spaceport given the technological and tourism potential it would bring to the region.
“People have been sceptical about this but it is becoming ever more clear that this is a serious possibility and we need to grab it with both hands.
“I am pleased Moray Economic Partnership and Moray Council are backing the idea and hope that people get behind us.”
Meanwhile, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has pledged its support to a UK spaceport.
A spokeswoman for the organisation said: “Virgin Galactic is currently focused on beginning commercial operations at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
“As it has long stated, the company remains interested in operating outside of the US at some point in the future.
“The current UK Government space initiatives are noteworthy and comprehensive in their thoughtful approach to space industry expansion.”
Moray’s response to the spaceport consultation is expected to be submitted to the government on October 6.