Ibadan, 20 March 2023. – Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. and Astraius Ltd. have announced a collaboration to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport. During a visit to the Spaceport by Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise, Ivan McKee, the companies commemorated the announcement with a signing ceremony.
Prestwick Spaceport, a joint partnership between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and South Ayrshire Council, aims to become Europe’s premier location for carrying small satellites into orbit via “air launch.” The technique enables a rocket to reach space after launching from an aircraft that has flown out to an ideal location over the ocean.
Spirit and Astraius are within Prestwick’s developing space cluster and are working to advance and accelerate the system components and critical processes necessary for the Astraius horizontal launch platform. Furthermore, the U.K. Government has made the orbital launch a key priority. For example, the National Space Strategy outlines plans to secure an increased portion of a global space economy expected to be worth £490bn by 2030. The space sector in the U.K. already employs over 45,000 people, with Scotland accounting for one-fifth of that figure.
Scott McLarty, Spirit Senior Vice President, Airbus and Regional/Business Jet Programs said, “spirit is well-positioned to develop new skills and technologies to contribute to the U.K.’s resilience and supply chain in the space sector and support high-value manufacturing regional hubs.”
Likewise, Astraius Chief Executive Officer Kevin Seymour stated, “With both companies located in Prestwick, Scotland’s largest aerospace cluster, our collaboration is further testament to the proactive and vibrant space ecosystem developing around Prestwick Spaceport.”
