United Kingdom grants license to Skyrora for rocket launches in space operations
In a significant stride for the UK's space industry, Skyrora, a Scottish aerospace company, has been granted the first-ever UK-based rocket launch license by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This development marks a "massive boost" to Scotland and the broader UK space industry, as stated by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray MP.
The license permits Skyrora to launch its suborbital vehicle, Skylark L, from the SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. If successful, Skyrora could become the first British company to design, manufacture, and launch a rocket from UK soil.
The Skylark L rocket stands at 11 meters (36 feet) and uses 3D-printed components sourced in the UK. It is designed to facilitate microgravity experiments at a more economical cost than traditional orbital vehicles. The suborbital vehicle is named Skylark L and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 3.5 times the speed of sound. It is designed to achieve an altitude of roughly 500 kilometers (310 miles) before safely returning to Earth.
Skyrora's immediate goal is to launch Skylark L from the SaxaVord Spaceport by early 2026 at the earliest. The Skylark L will serve as a technology demonstrator and R&D vehicle to validate subsystems before moving on to orbit-capable launches. If the initial launch succeeds, it could pave the way for subsequent launches by Skyrora and other companies developing orbital rockets for SaxaVord, supporting the UK’s ambition for sovereign space launch capabilities.
Skyrora has already 3D-printed the nine Skyforce engines for the XL’s first stage, a 75-foot, three-stage vehicle capable of deploying payloads of up to 315 kg into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). Test firing is scheduled for December 2025, with the first orbital launch potentially as early as Q4 2026. However, the current limitation is the unavailability of launch pads at SaxaVord for 2025, pushing actual launches to 2026 due to ongoing infrastructure enhancements at the site.
The SaxaVord Spaceport is not alone in attracting interest from the space industry. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has been granted an operator license for launches from the SaxaVord Spaceport, and several other companies are considering the site for commercial rocket launches. This influx of interest positions the UK as a hub for the NewSpace industry, with Scotland playing a significant role in this growth, supported by UK and European funding programs.
Skyrora's CEO, Volodymyr Levykin, described obtaining the license as a "long but ultimately rewarding journey." He emphasized the company's commitment to safety and thanked the CAA for their rigorous oversight. This development has been labeled as a "huge milestone" for the UK's space sector, marking a significant step towards the UK's ambition for a self-sufficient space launch capability.
The license granted to Skyrora by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) allows them to utilize technology in launching their suborbital vehicle, Skylark L, from the SaxaVord Spaceport, a move that could revolutionize space-and-astronomy within the UK. Leveraging UK-sourced 3D-printed components, Skyrora's rocket-science innovation could propel the UK into becoming a significant player in the space-and-astronomy, technology sector, paving the way for further advancements in space exploration.
