The Shetland Islands now boast the UK's inaugural spaceport for vertical rocket launches, with the SaxaVord Spaceport on the isle of Unst receiving approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to
initiate launches by 2024.
Positioned as the premier fully-licensed spaceport in Western Europe for vertical orbit-bound launches, this site is set to accommodate up to 30 launches annually, serving missions to transport satellites and payloads into space.
Expectations are high for this pioneering site, with a range of global launch operators already developing rockets. Among them, German rocket firm HyImpulse plans sub-orbital launches from August, followed by full-scale orbital launches slated for 2025 at SaxaVord.
Multiple enterprises, including Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), Lockheed Martin/ABL Space Systems, and Edinburgh-based Skyrora, have their eyes set on this pioneering spaceport. The official UK Government Pathfinder launch is also part of the ambitious lineup.
The transformation of the former RAF radar station into SaxaVord Spaceport stands as a testament to a 15-year journey by co-owners Frank and Debbie Strang. Initially envisioned as an eco-tourism attraction, the site's transition into a spaceport marks a historic milestone for them.
Expressing pride and responsibility in the government's trust, Mr. Strang views this license as a significant moment. He envisions a complex yet rewarding endeavor, emphasizing the team's dedication and seriousness in managing this spaceport.
With an estimated £17.5 billion valuation and supporting nearly 48,800 jobs across 2,200 firms, the UK's space industry welcomes this development as a pivotal shift in spaceflight innovation. The Civil Aviation Authority's decision signals a new era, potentially launching satellites from Scotland into orbit and fostering safe, sustainable space activities.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper hailed the CAA's decision, anticipating a significant economic boost for Shetland and positioning the United Kingdom at the forefront of spaceflight innovation.
In a push toward broader space ambitions, the UK Space Agency's recent funding of over £6.7 million aims to further Scotland's spaceport initiatives. Among the five proposed spaceports in Scotland, the Sutherland Spaceport, currently under construction, aims to launch 12 rockets into orbit annually. Plans for additional spaceports in North Uist, Glasgow Prestwick, and Spaceport Machrihanish highlight Scotland's aspirations to join the space race and conduct horizontal orbital launches in the future. Photo by Lis Burke, Wikimedia commons.