A SCOTTISH aerospace company has made history as the first UK-based rocket manufacturer to be given a space launch licence by the CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority).
With this new licence, Skyrora will be permitted up to 16 sub-orbital launches per year from the UK’s first licenced vertical launch spaceport, SaxaVord, in the Shetland Islands.
With headquarters in Glasgow and their manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, this marks a “major milestone” for the UK’s emerging space sector, according to Rob Bishton, the chief executive of the CAA.
Bishton said: “Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation.
“Our work as the UK’s space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it.”
With this licence, Skyrora plans to launch and operate their sub-orbital Skylark L vehicle, subject to CAA authorisation.
In August of 2018 in Ross-shire, Skyrora successfully conducted the first ever rocket test launch in Scotland by a private firm.
Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive of Skyrora, welcomed the news of the new licence, saying: “Becoming the first UK company to receive its vertical launch operator licence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora. It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities.”
He further added that 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”.
Skyrora’s success marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s aerospace history, the firm said. The last time the UK sent a rocket into space was five decades ago in 1971 with the “Black Arrow” Rocket.
To this day, that has been the only orbital launch using a British-built rocket, though the launch itself was conducted in Australia.
Skyrora underwent a vetting process in order to be granted the new licence, the CAA said, including safety protocols, international obligations, and environmental impact mitigation.
The CAA said it will also continue to play a vital oversight role during the launches, ensuring Skyrora complies with all conditions of the licence. These conditions include adequate insurance, a data-sharing agreement with the UK Government, agreements with the [[spaceport]], and coordination with international airspace authorities.
The SaxaVord Spaceport was granted the UK’s first vertical launch licence in December 2023, and received its range control licence in April 2024.
The chief executive of the UK Space Agency, Dr Paul Bate, praised Skyrora. He said: “Congratulations to Skyrora on becoming the first UK rocket company to receive a launch licence from the Civil Aviation Authority.
“This demonstrates the growing strength of our domestic launch capabilities, and the thriving commercial space economy we are building across the country.”
He further added: “With companies like Skyrora, we're positioning Britain as the natural choice for customers seeking reliable, cost-effective access to space from European soil.”
Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government’s business minister, said: “Securing the UK’s first launch operator licence is a landmark moment in Skyrora’s plans to become the first company in the UK to build and launch a rocket into space.”
"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.
“Glasgow in particular is a city and region with a huge role to play in the space race, with innovation in this field the focus of its £160 million UK Government funded Investment Zone status. This zone, established with local partners, is expected to generate around £300 million of initial private investment and support up to 10,000 jobs in the region."
