At a glance:
- Scottish company Skyrora has received a space launch licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
- This is the first time a UK based rocket company has received a launch licence.
- The licence allows for up to 16 launches a year from SaxaVord Spaceport.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has granted the first ever vertical launch licence to a UK based company. Skyrora has been licensed to launch and operate its sub-orbital Skylark L vehicle from the CAA licensed spaceport at SaxaVord.
The licensing approval process looked at a number of key factors ranging from safety, international obligations, and environmental mitigations around Skyrora’s planned launches.
The UK’s space regulator will now continue to monitor the company to ensure Skyrora adheres to the terms of its licence and safety is prioritised. This includes in the build-up to, and during launch. Ongoing monitoring is a significant part of the work done by the space regulator, driving high safety standards across the space sector.
Rob Bishton, CEO of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, 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.”
Volodymyr Levykin, CEO Skyrora said:
"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.
“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."
The licence comes with a number of conditions that will need to be met before launch including adequate insurance, a data sharing agreement with the UK Government, satisfactory arrangements with the Spaceport, and airspace agreements with other countries. Once those conditions are met, Skyrora will determine its launch schedule based on its technical and operational readiness.
Mike Kane, Aviation & Space Minister said:
“I am thrilled we’ve reached this important milestone in the UK space sector, and I congratulate Skyrora for being the first UK company to receive a rocket launch license.
“This is the kind of scientific innovation and exploration that will help the UK cement itself as a global player in the space race, boosting skills, jobs and growing our economy as we go.”
SaxaVord Spaceport became the UK’s first licenced vertical launch spaceport in December 2023, and received its range control licence in April 2024. Since then, the CAA has been involved in an ongoing programme of monitoring the site as it progresses towards launch. Skyrora is the second launch operator to have a licence to launch from the spaceport.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, 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.
“With companies like Skyrora, we're positioning Britain as the natural choice for customers seeking reliable, cost-effective access to space from European soil.”