Future space role for Scotland
Virgin Galactic boss hails nation’s hi-tech capabilities
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THE president of Virgin Galactic said yesterday that Scotland's strengths in innovation and invention plus its capabilities and expertise in advanced engineering meant it could play a vital role in developing new technology for the commercial space industry, which is expected to be a global industry of the future.
Will Whitehorn was speaking in Glasgow as part of a panel of experts discussing Scotland's global opportunities at Scottish Enterprise's 2009 GlobalScot international conference.
The RAF base at Lossiemouth is Virgin Galactic’s first UK choice as a spaceport for commercial space flights.
Yesterday’s conference, which brought together more than 100 GlobalScots from around the world with 200 of Scotland’s most ambitious companies, was chaired by Glasgow-born and educated Gerry Rice, who is now deputy director for external relations of the International Monetary Fund.
GlobalScot, founded by Scottish Enterprise, aims to expand Scotland’s standing in the international business community by using the talents of leading Scots to establish a worldwide network of expert individuals, on whom companies north of the border can call for advice, contacts, and support.
