PORT Erin, Peel and Douglas may not have the same ring about them as places like Cape Canaveral, Houston or Baikonur for followers of the space race.
But, give them time, these Isle of Man towns could be right up there. As it were.
I’ll get to the logic that underpins this claim from an aerospace industry analyst a bit later.
For now, let’s consider why the Isle of Man shouldn’t be part of the current era in the enduring space race.
And the answer is, well, there isn’t really a good one.
Not when you consider the growth and functionality of global communications (success derived in no small part from earlier space pioneers).
And the fact that so many of the old, conventional rules for choosing where to locate a business for success have been ripped up.
Truly global markets now drive growth in businesses large and small. And outer space could redefine the term “global market”.
Meanwhile, those involved in the Manx moon shot, or something similar, are reflecting on their ranking as one of the most likely nations to next get its flag on the moon.
Industry analyst Ascend rates the odds at 50-1 for the Manx-based space firms to win the race back to the lunar surface, behind the USA, China, India and Russia.
The research points to the growing number of Manx space tourism firms with interests in manned lunar flyby flights as evidence.
The Isle of Man landed fifth spot in the ranking ahead of the UK (which was given odds of 300-1), and Iran (1,000-1).
Those involved on the island hope the ranking, and the publicity it has attracted, will generate more interest and investment in the space sector.
Much of the success to date has been achieved by a company called ManSat – established as a partnership with the Manx government to offer consulting services to the commercial space industry.
On the basis of their new ranking, those involved in the Isle of Man space industry may consider they have hit on a formula for success – even if they choose to underplay it.
They claim that their work in building the industry on the island is international in nature and often goes unseen at home.
How true.
