When Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit rocket failed on its maiden launch from Cornwall in 2023, it brought Britain’s space aspirations crashing down to Earth.

Now, Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, is determined that the UK will shake off its image of a “plucky” yet unsuccessful nation to become a dominant force in the space industry.

He personally intervened to ensure that SaxaVord Spaceport on Shetland will get government support to embark on the first vertical satellite launches this year.

And he has not ruled out human space flight from this side of the Atlantic.

“I’m certainly not going to put a cap on anything Britain can achieve, because I think we have the ability to do things that most people don’t believe is possible right now,” he told The Telegraph.

“And I think it’s about time Britain just lifted its head up to the horizon and thought a bit more ambitiously about what we can achieve as a country.”