AN APPLICATION has officially been submitted that could see satellites being launched from Prestwick Airport.

It may only be one small step for the plans to set up a spaceport in the town - but it could be a giant leap for Prestwick if the proposals come to fruition.

South Ayrshire Council has officially begun the application process by writing up a Proposal of Application Notice (POAN).

If it goes ahead, the development will see horizontal launches taking place from Prestwick - making it the only location in Europe to be able to do so - by the end of 2023.

The submission of a POAN is the beginning of the process, but it signifies the council’s intent to apply for planning permission later this year.

Councillor Peter Henderson, leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: "The POAN starts the process for Prestwick Spaceport submitting its formal planning application later this year.

“This follows on from Prestwick Spaceport securing a launch provider, Astraius, in September last year.

“By securing a launch partner and beginning the planning process, South Ayrshire is on its way to establishing Prestwick Spaceport and ensuring an exciting future for our local communities and making South Ayrshire part of the global space economy.”

The Spaceport would see Astraius, the leading UK-based commercial horizontal launch company send satellites, such as shoebox sized CubeSats, into space.

They will do so by having an aircraft carrying a rocket climb high into the atmosphere.

Once safely beyond inhabited areas and above the densest layer of the atmosphere, the rocket leaves the aircraft, ignites its engines, and carries the satellites into orbit.

These small satellites can be used for a host of applications, such as monitoring climate change or tracking food supply chains to ensure that products in supermarkets are sustainably sourced.

Prestwick aims to conduct its first rocket launch by the end of 2023.

Those behind the plans say that the project could lead to 4,000 jobs being created.

Zoe Kilpatrick, commercial director at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: “We are building an industry in Ayrshire which will create jobs and investment for years to come.

"2022 will see further developments as we partner with more organisations to grow and expand.”