Tag: Skyrora
-
UK Announces £500 Million Space Investment Package With £20 Million for Scottish Spaceports
The United Kingdom has unveiled a £500 million spending package aimed at supporting the country’s space sector, including £20 million allocated to accelerate the development of spaceport infrastructure in Scotland. The funding plan was announced on March 4 during the Space-Comm Expo 2026 by Liz Lloyd, the UK’s Minister for the Digital Economy. The broader…
-
Skyrora Eyes Orbex Assets Including Scottish Spaceport After Rival’s Financial Troubles
British rocket developer Skyrora said on Thursday it is considering acquiring selected assets from rival Orbex, including a planned spaceport in northern Scotland, after the smaller launch company disclosed financial difficulties. Skyrora, headquartered in Glasgow, said it intends to explore purchasing parts of Orbex’s business, notably the Sutherland Spaceport project on Scotland’s north coast, in…
-
Skyrora weighs options on the path to the UK’s first vertical launch
Edinburgh-based Skyrora was granted its Spaceflight Operator Licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on August 5 — the first vertical launch license awarded to a British company to launch from the UK. NSF spoke with Skyrora’s Head of Business, Derek Harris, to discuss the upcoming launch of its Skylark L suborbital vehicle and…
-
UK Regulator Grants First Vertical Launch License to Scottish Rocket Firm Skyrora
After nearly a three-year wait, Scottish space company Skyrora has secured the United Kingdom’s first vertical launch license for a domestically based rocket firm, paving the way for suborbital missions from the SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. The approval, dated July 24 but announced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Aug. 5, marks…
-
Launch providers step closer to first orbital launch from UK soil
The awarding of the UK’s first commercial vertical launch license in December marked a significant milestone on the path to developing Scotland as a European launch leader. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) plans to conduct its inaugural orbital launch from UK soil this year, with other companies currently awaiting their licenses to extend Europe’s access to…
-
Scottish spaceport cleared for construction, UK on track to enter orbital market
SaxaVord Spaceport has become the second launch facility in the United Kingdom to receive its milestone approval to begin construction. This comes after Sutherland Spaceport, another British vertical launch facility, cleared legalities last year and is now also in a similar position to begin its construction. The United Kingdom continues to make progress towards both…
-
On the 50th anniversary of Black Arrow, British space industry is on the verge of a return
Fifty years ago, a small rocket lifted off from the Australian Outback on a mission of contradictions. While the launch of Black Arrow R3 with the Prospero satellite aboard would be Britain’s first successful satellite launch, it also marked the end of the country’s ambitions to be a major player in the space industry. Over…
-
UK spaceports and launchers gearing up for first flights
In recent months, the United Kingdom’s endeavor to tap into a rapidly-growing market of commercial spaceflight has become a firm prospect. To achieve this, spaceports and aerospace companies are clearing major hurdles in order to begin orbital launches as soon as next year — as several projects are vying to provide an unprecedented orbital launch…