Galactic flights carries risks 15/7/14
The Civil Aviation Authority report which considers Stornoway as a potential launch base for space planes points out they are a more dangerous form of travel than regular aircraft.
The CAA review states: “Spaceplanes cannot currently achieve the same safety standards as commercial aviation, and may never be able to.
“Before allowing spaceplanes to operate from the UK, the Government must accept that these operations carry a higher degree of risk than most routine aviation activities.”
There is a “risk involved in spaceplane operations” thus, “the ideal location will be away from densely populated area,” states the report.
Local councils are urged to “establish contingency plans for major incidents in advance of the commencement of space plane operations.”
One reason Stornoway is being considered is because it fits the optimum criteria.
This includes being a “reasonable distance from densely populated areas in order to minimise impact on the uninvolved general public.”
Having a runway which could be extended to 3,000 metres for the longer take-offs
and landings is also a factor as is the less congested airspace around the island.
As a coastal site, the risk to people living nearby may be minimised by launching over the sea.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Space is big business for the UK. It already contributes £11.3 billion to the economy each year, supporting nearly 35,000 jobs.
“That’s why it’s important for us to prepare the UK for new launcher technology and take steps towards meeting our ambition of establishing the first British spaceport by 2018.
Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said: “In order to lead the way on commercial spaceflight, we will need to establish a spaceport that enables us to operate regular flights.
“The work published today has got the ball rolling – now we want to work with others to take forward this exciting project and have Britain’s first spaceport up and running by 2018.”
Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said space planes will be “experimental aircraft” and “flights will operate on the principle of informed consent from participants.”
He added: “As the nature of the early flights will at the cutting edge of technology, it will need to be secluded from large population centres and busy conventional airspace.”
Locating a spaceport away from densely populated areas is essential as “public should be our highest safety priority.”
► Stornoway proposed for space travel base