The Star Trek stars William Shatner and George Takei have backed the Scottish National party’s ambition to establish Europe’s first spaceport in the UK.

The SNP MP Philippa Whitford led a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday on the future of the UK space industry, which she concluded by giving the Vulcan salute. The MP made the case for a spaceport to be established in her constituency of Central Ayrshire.

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“During the election, whenever I talked to anyone about this they would always just laugh because to us in this country we think space is for other people, it’s for the big boys: north America, Russia, maybe even China – but not us,” Whitford told MPs.

“That is something we have to change. We need to believe what we can do. I think Major Tim Peake’s mission will achieve that. This is a real industry, not the ‘beam me up Scotty’ or fretting about the dilithium crystals that we see on the telly, but a multibillion-pound industry.

“So I’d call on the minister to be imaginative and to be brave and to be boldly going where no minister has gone before. I call on the minister to please be imaginative, enable this industry across the entire UK so it can live long and prosper,” the MP concluded, giving the Vulcan salute – a gesture made popular by the character of character Mr Spock on the original Star Trek television series.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest George Takai as Lieutenant Sulu.

Welcoming the SNP debate, the actor William Shatner, Star Trek’s Captain James T Kirk, issued a statement that was read out to MPs: “Space is one of the last known frontiers mostly untouched by mankind and his politics. In opening a debate on this subject, my hope is you take the tenets of Star Trek’s prime directive to universally and peacefully share in the exploration of it. I wish you all a wonderful debate. My best, Bill.”



George Takei, Star Trek’s Lieutenant Sulu, tweeted his support: “I wish the SNP and the House of Commons well on their debate about their space program tomorrow. #WhereNoBritHasGoneBefore”

In March 2015, the government announced a shortlist of six sites in the UK that could be home to Europe’s first spaceport, four of which were in Scotland: Glasgow Prestwick airport, Machrihanish airport near Campbeltown, Stornoway airport, and RAF Leuchars.

The previous year, the government published its space innovation and growth strategy 2014 to 2030, which set out the economic advantages of the UK becoming a European focal point for commercial spaceflights and scientific research.

George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) I wish the SNP and the House of Commons well on their debate about their space program tomorrow. #WhereNoBritHasGoneBefore

The Department for Transport is developing a detailed technical specification of spaceport requirements before it invites proposals from companies.

Patrick Grady MP, who also tabled the debate, said that Scotland offered the ideal home for the UK’s first spaceport. “The building and operation of a spaceport in Scotland would bring investment and jobs to the local area and likely attract further space industry organisations and companies in the long term,” he said.



“This is an exciting time for space exploration with huge public interest – not least as a result of Major Tim Peake’s captivating mission to the International Space Station, itself the result of global cooperation, ambition and foresight. It is vital that we make the most of this opportunity.”