Scotland could miss out on a “generational opportunity” to become a leader in the European space launch field, MPs have warned.

A Westminster committee says fierce international competition and a lack of investment could scupper Scottish hopes of becoming the home of orbital satellite launches in Europe.

The UK Government was urged to go “further and faster” in supporting the space industry in a report from the Scottish Affairs Committee.

Shetland has the UK’s only licensed “vertical launch” spaceport – at SaxaVord on the northernmost inhabited island of Unst.

A number of companies hope to launch satellites from there, but so far none have blasted off.

The German company Rocket Factory Augsburg is believed to be in the furthest stages of development .

The report notes Scotland is geo

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