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What will happen to the north of Scotland’s space race now?

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Just three months ago, the Western Isles and Moray were celebrating after being put forward to host the UK’s first spaceport.

Stornoway Airport, RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss barracks were named on a short-list of sites where rockets, satellites and even tourists could be launched into orbit.

The announcement delighted local politicians and business chiefs, raising hopes the north will cash-in on a slice of the “truly astronomical” £400billion global space market.

On paper, Kinloss looks the most likely candidate since RAF Lossiemouth is already home to a fleet of Typhoon fast jets, which form the Quick Reaction Alert Force responsible for intercepting unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace.

A total of eight areas of the UK have been put forward as potential locations for the facility – with Campbeltown, Prestwick and Leuchars also in the mix – and ministers hope it can be operational within four years.

No date has been announced yet for when the decision will be made.

The idea that the north of Scotland could be home to one of the world’s first spaceports was suggested eight years ago, with the airbases at Lossiemouth and Kinloss recognised by Virgin Galactic as potential launch sites for commercial flights.

The company later decided to concentrate its operations in the US, but the latest short-list has given Scotland hope once again that it could be considered.

In July, Moray councillor Graham Leadbitter corrsaid there was a “serious possibility” the region could still land the facility.

Last night, he said it was too soon to tell what the future holds for commercial space flight.

“It goes without saying that my thoughts are with those affected by this awful tragedy,” he said.

“It’s devastating.”