SPACEPORT ON REMOTE SCOTTISH ISLAND CLEARED FOR BLAST OFF
▶ SaxaVord hopes to hold UK’s first vertical rocket launch next summer after receiving licence
A spaceport at the northernmost tip of Scotland hopes to hold Britain’s first vertical rocket launch next summer.
SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in Shetland has been granted a licence by the Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it to hold up to 30 launches a year for companies that need satellites in polar orbit.
The site is the only vertical launch orbital spaceport in western Europe.
Satellites in polar orbits include those that monitor Earth’s environment, such as remote sensing satellites and some weather satellites, as well as some military surveillance satellites, experts said.
Scott Hammond, deputy chief executive of SaxaVord Spaceport, told The National that he was optimistic the site would host its first launch next year.
“I think we will be putting up satellites that will go up and grab old satellites and get them out of orbit, so as to decrease space waste,” he added.
The site is working with several companies, including Skyrora in Edinburgh, Lockheed Martin ABL Space Systems in the US and Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg and HyImpulse.
“They will come and launch from our site, so we are very much like an airport,” Mr Hammond said.
“You imagine they are like the Lufthansa or British Airways coming to fly out of Edinburgh or something like that.”
The site is currently testing and carrying out exercises to prepare for regular launches, he said.
Regulators verified that the privately owned spaceport met the safety and environmental requirements for vertical space launches. Owned by husband and wife Frank and Debbie Strang, the spaceport occupies a former RAF base on Unst.
About £30 million ($37.9 million) has so far been spent on developing the spaceport, which includes three launch pads and a hangar for assembling rockets.
Rocket Factory Augsburg and HyImpulse hope to carry out launches from SaxaVord next year.
“Granting SaxaVord their licence is an era-defining moment for the UK space sector,” said Tim Johnson, director of space regulation at the CAA.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for UK space as rockets may soon launch satellites into orbit from Scotland.
“We are undertaking vital work to make sure the UK’s space activities are safe and sustainable for all.”
Mr Strang said the award of the licence was a “historic” moment for the spaceport. “Our team is very proud that the government has entrusted us with operating a complex, multidisciplinary and multi-launch spaceport, and we all take this responsibility very seriously,” he said.
“There is much to do still but this is a fantastic way to end the year and head into Christmas.”
He and his wife took over the former RAF base in 2004. They also have plans for a hotel and visitor centre at SaxaVord.
Both the British and Scottish governments welcomed the news of the licence.
“The United Kingdom’s space industry is growing, with SaxaVord set for lift-off to become this country’s first vertical spaceport,” UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper said.
“Today’s historic announcement will boost Shetland’s economy and put the United Kingdom at the forefront of space flight innovation.”
Scottish Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead said it “heralds a new era” for space in Scotland. “As the UK’s first licensed vertical spaceport, SaxaVord and Scotland can soon be a gateway to space, deploying cutting-edge small satellites into orbit for international and domestic customers alike,” he said.
Owned by husband and wife Frank and Debbie Strang, the spaceport occupies a former RAF base on Unst, Shetland