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Commercial space flights could take off from Brexit Britain in just THREE YEARS as Ministers vow to win space race

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling offered £10m to firms to set up spaceports, satellite launches and space tourism

COMMERCIAL spaceflights could take off from Brexit Britain in just THREE YEARS after Ministers today vowed to win the space race .

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling offered £10 million-worth of grants to firms desperate to set up spaceports, satellite launches and space tourism.

 Commercial space flights could take off from Britain in just three years
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Commercial space flights could take off from Britain in just three yearsCredit: EPA

The Government is also laying legislation to “facilitate and regulate” commercial spaceflight.

The global space market is expected to be worth an estimated £25 billion over the next 20 years.

And Ministers yesterday insisted spaceflight would offer the UK the “opportunity to build on our strengths in science, research and innovation”

 Chris Grayling has offered £10m of grants to firms
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Chris Grayling has offered £10m of grants to firmsCredit: Getty Images

MPs mocked the Government – saying there was little chance of space travel when the nation is still waiting for Heathrow expansion.

But Science Minister Jo Johnson: “We want to see the UK space sector flourish, that is why we are laying the groundwork needed for business to be able to access this lucrative global market.”

The Minister - who last year torpedoed calls for a scientific research boat to be named ‘Boaty McBoatface’ - added: “The call for proposals announced today will help make our space ambitions a reality.”

Newquay in Cornwall is among the front-runners in the race to host Britain’s first spaceport. There are also four from Scotland and one from Wales.

 The Government wants spaceports to be able to host both vertical and horizontal launches
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The Government wants spaceports to be able to host both vertical and horizontal launchesCredit: AP

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galatic and Dutch-founded Xcor are among those who could take passengers up to the final frontier when services go live.

The Government wants spaceports to be able to host both vertical and horizontal launches.

The initial aim had been for the first home-grown space launch to happen by 2018.

Jenny Randerson, Lib Dem Shadow Transport Secretary, condemned the plans as a waste of money.

 British astronaut Tim Peake with the capsule he launched into space
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British astronaut Tim Peake with the capsule he launched into spaceCredit: Getty Images

She said: “This £10 million shows just how out of touch the Government really are.

“Only a handful of extremely wealthy people would consider space tourism an option.

“And while people are struggling with the current infrastructure here on earth the Government should take a reality check.”

She added: “With this kind of thinking the first person shot into space on the test flight should be Chris Grayling.”

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