The spaceport in Unst on the Shetland Islands (Image: SaxaVord/PA )

Shetland’s Space Odyssey: UK approves first vertical rocket launch

In a groundbreaking development for the UK’s space industry, German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has been granted the first

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In a groundbreaking development for the UK’s space industry, German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has been granted the first license for vertical rocket launches from British soil. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved RFA’s application to conduct launches from SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst, the northernmost of the Shetland Islands.

This historic decision marks a significant step towards establishing the UK as a key player in the European space sector. The license allows RFA to conduct up to ten launches annually, with their 30-meter-tall RFA One rocket capable of delivering a 1,300kg payload into orbit

Rob Bishton, CEO of the CAA, hailed the decision as the dawn of “a new era for aerospace,” adding that “granting the first vertical launch licence from UK soil builds towards a historic milestone for the nation”

Jörn Spurmann, co-founder and chief commercial officer of RFA, expressed his enthusiasm for the achievement: “Securing the first-ever launch licence outside European Space Agency’s established site in Kourou is not just a regulatory milestone—it’s a powerful endorsement of our technical excellence and a turning point for European space innovation”

The license is effective immediately, but several conditions must be met before a launch can take place, including insurance arrangements and international agreements. RFA is required to give the CAA 60 days’ notice before any launch

While the company initially aimed for a 2024 launch, a setback occurred last year when the first stage of their initial rocket caught fire and exploded during a static fire test. Despite this, RFA remains optimistic about conducting their first test flight in 2025

The SaxaVord Spaceport, a privately-owned facility on the former RAF base in Unst, has already secured necessary licenses for its operations. The spaceport aims to host up to 30 rocket launches annually in the future, with several other companies also planning to operate from the site

This development positions the UK at the forefront of the European space industry, potentially ushering in a new era of space exploration and commercialisation. As Spurmann noted, “By enabling cost-effective and flexible launches from European main land, we are laying the foundation for a new era of space exploration and commercialisation, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of the global space race”

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