Skyrora becomes first British firm to secure UK launch licence – UKTN

Skyrora has been granted a launch licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a major win as it works to become the first UK company to manufacture and launch a rocket into space from British soil.

The Scottish rocket manufacturer has tall ambitions to support the sovereign launch capabilities of the UK, allowing access to space without relying on foreign nations.

Skyrora hopes to launch from SaxaVord spaceport in the Scottish isle of Unst. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the spaceport in 2021 that laid out its goal of achieving up to 16 launches per year by 2030.

“Becoming the first homegrown company in the UK to receive a launch operator licence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora,” said Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin.

“It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities. Not only to unlock commercial activity for companies that need to access space and to help achieve the government’s objectives for becoming a global player in the space sector, but also from a strategic defence consideration.

“Skyrora is proud to be leading efforts that enable launch activity from the UK and we look forward to achieving a reliable commercial launch programme that benefits us all.”

The British government has been keen to scale the country’s space tech capabilities, with the view that the space economy will become a major economic driver in the future.

“This launch licence isn’t just one giant leap for Skyrora – it’s a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK’s space sector,” said Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland.

“Becoming the first British company to manufacture and send a rocket into space from the UK will be a hugely significant moment. I’m very proud that Scotland is at the forefront of such pioneering technology and I look forward to blast off from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.

“It’s an exciting time for the Scottish space sector – an important industry which is playing a vital role in our Plan for Change, helping economic growth and employing thousands of people in good quality jobs across the country.”

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