Machrihanish Airbase Community Company [MACC] at Campbeltown has not been overawed by the Scottish Government’s rather premature expression of preference for the airport it owns itself – Prestwick – in the race to be the UK’s Spaceport.
MACC is all for the community empowerment that is the headline aim of the Scottish government and fully expects to be empowered in getting the fair crack of the whip it is entitled to expect.
At the launch today, 30th April 2015, of its bid to be the first Spaceport in the UK, MACC called on some very special friends to make the point of the Machrihanish air base’s ancillary attractions in being known across the internet as ‘the UK’s Area 51′.
At the most serious level, Campbeltown is the only shortlisted site to meet the runway criteria and says firmly that it has to be the number one choice.
MACC has commissioned the well known advertising force, Weber Shandwick, to promote its case – and is moving forward apace.
Campbeltown’s Discover Space UK today officially launched its bid to become the UK’s first spaceport – revealing it is the only shortlisted candidate already twice approved for space flight.
The community-owned airbase in Machrihanish in Kintyre is nicknamed ‘the UK’s Area 51’ following rumours it was previously used by the US Airforce to test secret aircraft which led to repeated attested sightings of apparent UFOs.
It is one of five sites shortlisted by the UK Government to become the UK’s first operational spaceport in 2018.
As the only bidder to exceed the UK Government’s minimum runway length of 3,000m, as well as being over 1,000 acres in size and removed from densely populated areas, the Machrihanish site already has a technical advantage.
Speaking today, alongside an artist’s impression of how the UK Spaceport at Campbeltown Airport might look, was the Chairman of Machrihanish Airbase Community Company [MACC] and Discover Space UK Director, Tom Millar.
He says previous endorsements from two space agencies in the past and its history of innovation really sets it apart from its competitors.
Speaking at the launch of Discover Space UK’s website – helped by the site’s first visitors from space – Mr Millar said: ‘Machrihanish has a long-history with space flight, going back to the launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle in 1981.
‘Machrihanish was an emergency landing site for the shuttle in Europe, with our 3,049m runway long enough to welcome the shuttle and get it airborne again aboard a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
‘Then in 2009, the last time the UK looked at establishing a spaceport, Virgin Galactic said Machrihanish was one of its preferred sites for the UK spaceport.
‘That’s not our only connection to the stars. Paul McCartney’s Mull of Kintyre estate is just 15 minutes from the base and the airbase itself was rumoured to have been used for testing top secret aircraft – so it’s only fitting that Machrihanish Airbase leads the way by becoming the UK’s first spaceport.’
Aside from its technical advantages and heritage, Discover Space UK argues its location on the Kintyre peninsula makes it an ideal place to welcome the first wave of space tourists, likely to pay up to £200,000 per head for a trip to see the stars.
Campbeltown airport also has a direct link to Glasgow International airport- a spectacular 30 minute flight, making connections direct to the Spaceport and to Campbeltown easy for international travellers.
Mr Millar says – and MACC space visitors clearly enjoyed the reality: ‘Kintyre is blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world. We’ve got miles of golden, sandy beaches, luxury hotels and two world-class links golf courses. In addition, there are 12 globally-renowned distilleries on our doorstep, including three in Campbeltown itself – and all only a half-hour flight from Glasgow.
‘We have some of the best surfing found in the UK and we’re an ideal place to explore the West Highlands and Islands’ stunning scenery.
‘For the best views on earth, to the best views of it – we really can offer an out-of-this-world experience for the space tourist.’
This is course is the added attraction Campbeltown can offer as the wrap-around to the short space flight experience itself.
Owned by Machrihanish Airbase Community Company [MACC], the site is already home to 50 thriving businesses over a 1,000 acre estate.
Mr Millar underlined the fact that the choice of Machrihanish as the UK’s first spaceport would transform the area: ‘A spaceport would provide a significant jobs boost and would revitalise local businesses. It would also help drive tourism from all over the world, which would be a real boom for the whole of the UK.
‘Links to academia would benefit too. Not only are we close geographically to Strathclyde University, which specialises in satellite research, but we are on the doorstep of the University of the Highlands and Islands, University of the West of Scotland, University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University.
‘It is clear – this won’t just leave a lasting, positive legacy for the Kintyre community, but for the whole of the UK and we’re determined to show the world what we can offer.’
For more information on the bid, go to Discover Space UK’s website here, or follow it on Twitter here: @discoverspaceuk.
