Scotland’s spaceport on the Shetland island of Unst has moved closer to its first commercial rocket launch after receiving £30 million as part of the UK government’s space strategy.
SaxaVord Spaceport, a former RAF radar station, has been turned into the UK’s first licensed, vertical launch spaceport.
It will benefit from £7.8 billion being invested across the space sector up to 2030 to strengthen the UK’s ability to launch satellites.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told PA Media: “As space becomes a new frontier of economic and military competition, this plan will help keep Britain secure by strengthening our ability to launch satellites, detect threats and protect the services people rely on every day.
“At the same time, this plan will enable our excellent UK industry to seize the boundless opportunities of this new age in space, creating skilled jobs, driving growth and improving connectivity for all of us.”
German company Rocket Factory Augsburg is working towards the first vertical orbital test flight from UK soil, while HyImpulse is preparing for a sub-orbital launch campaign.
SaxaVord chief executive Scott Hammond described the announcement as a “significant vote of confidence in SaxaVord”.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said Scotland already builds more satellites than anywhere else in Europe, and with a £30 million UK Government investment boost, SaxaVord is now poised to deliver up to three-quarters of the continent’s orbital launch slots.
Daily Business Bulletin: Subscribe here for our free morning bulletin of breaking news
#Shetland #spaceport #30m #liftoff #Daily #Business