Shetland spaceport receives range licence as launch plans progress

THE spaceport at the northernmost tip of the UK has received its range control licence from the regulator, as it prepares for its first launch this year.

Saxavord Spaceport on Unst has been given permission by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to clear and control the “downrange” zone during launches.

It means the CAA is confident the spaceport can keep maritime and aviation traffic secure when rockets blast off from the site on the Shetland Islands.

The granting of the range licence comes after Saxavord was granted its spaceport licence in December, which verified the privately-owned site meets the safety and environmental requirements for vertical space launches.

The next part of the regulatory process will be a launch operator licence for the range of companies wishing to use the spaceport.

Colin Macleod, head of space regulation at the CAA, said: “Saxavord’s range licence is vital to protecting public safety during launches.

“Our work is enabling the UK’S expanding space sector and encouraging safety, sustainability and security of space activity.”

German company Rocket Factory Augsburg hopes to be the first to launch satellites into space from Unst later this year, though a number of organisations have expressed interest in using the site.

Ultimately, they wish to build up the frequency of their launches to around one per month.

Frank Strang, chief executive of Saxavord Spaceport, said: “Both awards are historic milestones for ourselves in Shetland and the development of the UK space sector.”