RAF Leuchars could be counting down to blast off.
With the RAF moving out of the north east Fife base, air travel of a very different kind could soon be on the cards.
It is believed Leuchars is one of eight sites across the UK being considered to become Britain’s first spaceport.
The possible locations for a spaceport will be revealed this week by representatives from the UK Space Agency and Government ministers. It is thought as many as six of the eight sites could lie in Scotland.
Strong contenders north of the border include Leuchars, RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth, Prestwick, Stornoway and Campbeltown airports.
It is hoped the spaceport which would be the first of its kind outwith America will be ready for space travel by 2018.
For the UK government and space industry, the major interest in creating a UK spaceport is to enable the launching of satellites. However, it could also become a centre for space tourism initiatives.
The coalition aims to capture 10% of the space market by 2030, citing figures that the UK sector has grown by more than 7% in the past two years, making it worth £11 billion and employing 34,000 people.
A spaceport would open up the UK to tourism operators, like Virgin Galactic, and would see the sector bring in £40bn and 100,000 jobs if the 2030 target is met.
Business Secretary Vince Cable, who will join officials from the Department for Transport on a visit to Farnborough Airshow on Tuesday to make the announcement, said the UK space sector is booming.
“Our world-leading and ambitious space sector is thriving,” he said.
“This week we will announce the next steps for this country’s space race and how we will take one giant leap towards creating the first British spaceport, making space travel one step closer for all,” he said.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander talked up Scotland’s chances of becoming home to the spaceport, saying: “The UK space industry is one of our great success stories and I am sure there will be a role for Scotland to play in the future.”