By Davide Baptiste
When SaxaVord CEO Frank Strang announced that the UK’s first Space Port had already raised circa £40 million in private investment to fund the development of his spaceport project back in December 2023, he spoke believing that the UK Government support he was planning to receive would accelerate the Space Port’s capital works programme. This was said with a firm plan in mind: that Rocket Factory Augsburg would be ready to conduct the first ever orbital launch from UK and European soil in the late 2024.
But SaxaVord’s ambitious plans for becoming the UK’s first operational vertical launch spaceport have encountered a significant setback due to the recent failure of Rocket Factory Augsburg’s (RFA) engine test. This incident would seem to have delayed the timeline for the first orbital launch from UK soil. Moreover, this recent setback with RFA’s engine test failure has highlighted the challenges inherent in developing new launch capabilities. The incident, which occurred during a static fire test of RFA’s first stage, resulted in a fire that engulfed the entire vehicle. Despite this setback, SaxaVord continues to make progress in establishing itself as a key player in the European space industry.
Rumours in the Scottish Space industry suggest that SaxaVord may be able to accelerate other plans for launch with other rocket operators. It is understood that the candidates for replacing RFA as the first orbital launch from UK soil include Hyimpluse and Lockheed Martin. Other commentators suggest that British firm Skyrora may be well placed to capture the now vacant launch slot.
Skyrora which is based in Edinburgh and owned by Ukrainian national Volodymyr Levykin. It was founded in 2017 and the company specializes in designing and manufacturing modular rocket launch vehicles for small satellite launches. It is thought that Skyrora’s manufacturing facilities in Cumbernauld may give it an edge in the exciting race to edge ahead. Its proximity to SaxaVord may offer logistical advantages other operators lack. In any case Silicon Scotland announced that the set back is unlikely to deter the continued development of SaxaVord as the UK’s premier Spaceport.
David Baptiste is a French freelance journalist who specialises in space and tech news.
