The dream to launch rockets from Prestwick is “closer than ever,” airport bosses this week insisted.

As talks progress to secure key funding for the visionary project, officials insist they are better placed than at any point to put craft into space.

And they say their plans could now be brought “to fruition” within the next year.

Prestwick has become favourite to land Europe’s first ever Spaceport licence, with orbiting craft set for take-off as early as 2020.

Airport chiefs admit the plans have been viewed with scepticism by some – but say the time to believe is now.

It comes as competing airfields across the UK make their case for government backing, with a licensing regime replacing the old ‘bidding’ structure.

Spaceport director, Richard Jenner (below), told the Post: “We would expect that in the next financial year we will start to bring our plans to fruition.

“We will be on our way to understanding what the regulations for a spaceport will look like and preparing to secure a licence.

“We appreciate that many people in our local community may feel that the idea of a spaceport is far-fetched.

“That is mainly down to misconception about what our operation will look like.

Prestwick Spaceport director Richard Jenner

“We are not launching rockets vertically, we plan to have operations where the launch vehicle takes off in much the same way as a conventional aircraft.”

The airport has already signed a landmark deal with Houston Spaceport to work on the development of the £320million project.

And Jenner added: “The main differences will be the fuelling, power of the vehicle, what it is carrying – which will most likely be satellites – and where it is going.

“The changes to the airport infrastructure will initially be minimal and not very visible to the public as they will be concentrated on the airfield.

“However, this will just be the start and once we begin operations, we will be able to continually develop as a spaceport as technology advances.

“This is an exciting thing for Ayrshire.

“It could become the host of the first commercial spaceport in the UK and Europe.

“This has the potential to be transformational for the local and regional economy, attracting more companies to establish themselves in or around the airport and creating high value jobs for generations to come.”