Ministers have passed new regulations which provide the framework to regulate the UK space industry following Brexit. It will enable launches to take place from British soil for the very first time as the UK leaves the EU putting the nation in a unique position as being the only European country to launch rockets from home soil.

       Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the new rules will unlock "a potential ￡4billion of market opportunities over the next decade".

       Under the new regulations, it means the UK space industry will launch satellites from 2022 to improve satnav systems and boost the monitoring of weather patterns and climate change.

       Space tourism trips and hypersonic flights that are faster than the speed of sound could eventually launch from the UK, ministers said.

       Mr Shapps said: "We stand on the cusp of the new commercial space age, and this is the blast-off moment for the UK's thriving space industry, demonstrating Government's commitment to put Britain at the global forefront of this sector.

       "These regulations will help create new jobs and bring economic benefits to communities and organisations right across the UK, helping us to level up as we inspire the next generation of space scientists and engineers."

       Several locations for UK spaceports which include Newquay in Cornwall, Snowdonia in North Wales, and the Western Isles, Glasgow, Machrihanish and Shetland, all in Scotland will be brought forward and constructed.

       But one of the UK’s leading sites is expected to be a vertical launch site on the Melness Crofting Estate on the A’Mhoine peninsula in the Scottish Highlands.

       Britain's first version of Cape Canaveral is expected to be torpedo micro-satellites into low orbit.

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       Howard Nye, president of the Royal Aeronautical Society, said it was a "landmark day for the UK's space sector".

       He added: “This provides the legal and regulatory framework to enable commercial spaceflight launches from UK soil, thereby broadening the scope of our commercial space sector.”

       Science Minister Amanda Solloway added: “The first satellite launches from UK spaceports in 2022 will be a remarkable moment – and these new regulations have taken us a step closer to being the first country in Europe to achieve lift-off from home soil.

       “By creating world-class legislation to support our growing space sector in a safe and sustainable way, we are delivering new jobs and economic growth to communities right across the UK.”

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       The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been formally appointed as the regulator of the UK space industry following 18 months of preparation.

       The body announced it is ready to receive applications for launch licences.