British company Skyrora secures first license to carry out launches from United Kingdom soil
Skyrora, a Scotland-based space company, has received a license from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to launch its suborbital Skylark L rocket from the SaxaVord Spaceport, located on the Shetland Islands[1][2][3][4]. The license allows for one initial launch of Skylark L and up to 16 launches per year.
The Skylark L is a single-stage guided suborbital rocket capable of lifting payloads up to 50 kg to an altitude of 125 km[4]. This vehicle serves as an R&D platform to test subsystems, including flight control computers, which will feed into the development of the larger orbital rocket, Skylark XL[4].
Skyrora's first Skylark L launch attempt in 2022 from Iceland ended in failure due to a software issue. The current launch from SaxaVord aims to be more successful[4][5]. Though the license is UK-based, if there are significant delays at SaxaVord, Skyrora might transfer its license to other international sites such as Australia’s Woomera range, potentially launching before the end of 2025[3].
Skylark XL is Skyrora's orbital rocket, designed to deliver payloads of up to 315 kg to orbit[4]. Two of the three stages of Skylark XL are already built, with integration and testing targeted for 2026 and a planned launch in 2027, subject to manufacturing progress[4]. Skylark XL’s development benefits from the technology validated on Skylark L, so the suborbital launches are key stepping stones[4][5].
The spaceport is undergoing modifications to support launches. Some delays in readiness could push Skyrora to consider alternative launch locations[3]. Skyrora shares the site with other companies like Rocket Factory Augsburg and Orbex, though limited launch pad availability currently restricts launch schedules[1][3].
Skyrora's CEO, Volodymyr Levykin, stated that this license is a testament to the company's hard work and dedication[6]. He emphasized the importance of the UK having sovereign launch capabilities for commercial and strategic purposes[7].
This is the first time a vertical launch license has been granted to a UK-based company[8]. Germany's Rocket Factory Augsburg was one of the five companies selected for the European Space Agency's European Launcher Challenge, and Orbex, another UK competitor, was also chosen for the challenge[1]. However, Skyrora was not selected for the European Launcher Challenge.
[1] https://www.skyrora.com/ [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-62842197 [3] https://www.flugrevue.de/news/skyrora-wird-in-grossbritannien-orbital-startlizenz-erhalten [4] https://www.skyrora.com/skylark-l/ [5] https://www.skyrora.com/skylark-xl/ [6] https://www.skyrora.com/press/skylark-l-license-granted/ [7] https://www.skyrora.com/press/skylark-l-license-granted/ [8] https://www.flugrevue.de/news/skyrora-wird-in-grossbritannien-orbital-startlizenz-erhalten
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