The Shetland Islands are now home to the UK's inaugural spaceport dedicated to vertical rocket launches, as SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst Island has received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to commence operations in 2024.

As the first fully licensed spaceport in Western Europe capable of vertical launches into orbit, it is authorized for up to 30 launches annually, primarily intended for deploying satellites and various payloads into space.

This pioneering spaceport, situated in Scotland, has attracted the interest of multiple global launch operators currently in the process of developing rockets.

German rocket company HyImpulse aims to conduct sub-orbital launches—flights that do not reach outer space—from August, with full orbital launches scheduled to commence at SaxaVord in 2025.

Other entities, such as Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) from Germany, and Lockheed Martin/ABL Space Systems in collaboration with the UK Government Pathfinder launch, also have plans for orbital launches.

Skyrora, an Edinburgh-based company, aspires to be the first UK enterprise to launch from British soil shortly.

SaxaVord Spaceport, formerly an RAF radar station, is co-owned by Frank and Debbie Strang, who initially acquired the site 15 years ago with intentions of transforming it into an eco-tourism attraction.

Mr. Strang expressed the historic significance of being awarded the license, emphasizing the team's pride in gaining the government's trust to operate a complex and multi-disciplinary spaceport.

Although there is much work ahead, he views this achievement as a fantastic way to conclude the year and enter the holiday season.

The UK's space industry, estimated at £17.5 billion, supports approximately 48,800 jobs across 2,200 firms. While Cornwall Spaceport was the country's first licensed spaceport, it facilitates horizontal rocket launches carried by an aircraft.

Tim Johnson, director of space regulation at the CAA, characterized the granting of SaxaVord's license as a transformative moment for the UK space sector.

"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."

UK transport Secretary Mark Harper said the CAA's announcement would boost Shetland's economy and "put the United Kingdom at the forefront of spaceflight innovation".

Last week, the UK Space Agency announced funding of more than £6.7m to further Scotland's spaceport ambitions.

Scotland currently has five proposed spaceports under development, with the Sutherland Spaceport also under construction with ambitions of launching 12 rockets into orbit per year.

A further spaceport is planned on North Uist, with both Glasgow Prestwick and Spaceport Machrihanish hoping to join the space race and conduct horizontal orbital launches in the future.

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