Key Takeaways
- Skyrora is the first British company to receive a launch license from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority.
- The license allows for up to 16 suborbital launches per year from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.
- First launches are not expected until the end of 2025, with options for launches from other countries too.
Historic Launch License Granted
Skyrora has made history as the first British company to be awarded a license to launch a rocket from the United Kingdom. The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted Skyrora a license for up to 16 annual launches from SaxaVord Spaceport located on the Shetland Islands. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first vertical launch license issued to a U.K.-based company. The approval permits Skyrora to launch its suborbital Skylark L rocket, which has already been certified for safety by the CAA. This development is a crucial step toward the company’s future plans for its larger orbital rocket, the Skylark XL.
The licensing process took into account various aspects including safety measures, adherence to international obligations, and environmental considerations related to the planned launches. Skyrora’s CEO, Volodymyr Levykin, expressed pride in the achievement, noting that it underscores the dedication of the Skyrora team. He highlighted the importance of establishing U.K. sovereign launch capabilities to support commercial activities and align with government goals for a more significant role in the global space sector, along with strategic defense benefits.
Despite this progress, the first launch from the U.K. is not anticipated before the end of 2025. Levykin mentioned in an interview with Reuters that even though the company has secured the launch license and has a rocket ready, it is unlikely to complete a launch from the U.K. this year. In the meantime, Skyrora is exploring potential launch opportunities from locations in Australia, Oman, and possibly Iceland. The company previously attempted a launch from Iceland in 2022 but was unsuccessful.
It’s important to note that Skyrora’s achievement is not unique in the broader context of U.K. space licenses. Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) was granted an orbital launch license in January, permitting it to conduct up to ten launches annually. RFA had faced setbacks, including a failed static-fire test that resulted in the explosion of its RFA One rocket at SaxaVord last year.
RFA was part of the European Space Agency’s European Launcher Challenge, aimed at developing independent access to space for Europe using small and medium-sized rockets. Meanwhile, Orbex, a competitor of Skyrora, was selected for this initiative. In a separate development, Germany’s Isar Aerospace also experienced an unsuccessful attempt at an orbital launch from the European mainland last year.
As the U.K. progresses toward becoming a key player in the commercial space sector, the licensing of Skyrora serves as a significant benchmark in the nation’s ambitions for space exploration and technological advancement. The forthcoming years should bring more updates on Skyrora’s initiatives and the broader landscape of space launches in the U.K.
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