UK's SaxaVord Spaceport Is Almost Ready For Its Historic First Launch

SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands is on the verge of making history with the first vertical orbital launch from U.K. soil with imminent receipt of final licenses from U.K. regulators. Once received Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) will attempt an inaugural launch of their RFA ONE rocket from the spaceport.

The spaceport, located on Unst in the Shetland Islands, has already secured significant regulatory approvals. In December 2023, the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted the site a spaceport license, followed by a range license in March. The final pending approval pertains to airspace access for launches, which Hammond anticipates will be obtained by September. Additionally, the CAA will issue RFA a separate launch license.

"Everything is gearing up very much for the next steps in our journey to space," - Scott Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive & Operations Director of SaxaVord Spaceport

RFA is gearing up for its first orbital launch, having already conducted a successful static-fire test in May. Tests involved firing four of the nine engines in the rocket's first stage. Upcoming tests will see the firing of five, and eventually all nine, engines. The second stage of the rocket is expected to arrive this week after undergoing tests in Kiruna, Sweden, along with the third stage and satellite payloads.

“If anybody tells you in this industry when a launch is going to be, they’re lying to you because there are a lot of speed bumps.” - Scott Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive & Operations Director of SaxaVord Spaceport

The spaceport facilities are nearly complete, with only minor adjustments needed for the launch stool. While the official launch date is set for the third quarter, there are indications that it might be pushed to later in the fall.

“This is a test flight, and it is an iterative process: we learn as we go along,...Sometimes I worry that the politicians want to see success straight away and, if not, they lose interest.” - Scott Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive & Operations Director of SaxaVord Spaceport

The upcoming launch marks the culmination of years of effort to establish the spaceport and navigate the complexities of regulatory approvals from U.K., Scottish, and local authorities.

These efforts faced challenges, including the collapse of a £170 million ($220 million) debt facility intended to finance the spaceport and other developments. Despite this setback, the U.K. government provided £10 million earlier this year to support spaceport development. The larger debt facility was meant to cover a broader range of work beyond the launch pad and related facilities.

SaxaVord’s license permits up to 30 launches annually.

“It’s not just a one-off...We want to do this multiple times a year. That takes time and effort, so it will take a little bit longer.” - Scott Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive & Operations Director of SaxaVord Spaceport

In addition to RFA, SaxaVord has other notable clients, including Lockheed Martin. The aerospace giant plans to execute its “U.K. Pathfinder” launch from SaxaVord, utilizing an RS1 rocket from ABL Space Systems under a contract from the U.K. Space Agency awarded in 2018. However, these plans are uncertain following a July 19 incident where ABL’s second RS1 rocket sustained irreparable damage in a fire after an engine test in Kodiak Island, Alaska.

As SaxaVord Spaceport edges closer to this historic launch, the world watches in anticipation of the U.K.'s first vertical orbital launch, a significant milestone in the nation's burgeoning space industry.