https://spacewatch.global/tag/saxavord-spaceport/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:37:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/saxavord-spaceport/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/03/hyimpulse-and-saxavord-spaceport-sign-launch-agreement-to-advance-european-launch-capabilities/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72194 HyImpulse Technologies has signed a launch services agreement with SaxaVord Spaceport for the second flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle. The mission is targeted for later this year and will mark HyImpulse’s first launch from European territory. The agreement follows the successful inaugural lift-off of SR75 from Koonibba, Australia, where the vehicle demonstrated stable flight validating system performance under operational conditions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/03/rfa-delivers-the-first-and-second-stages-of-its-rfa-one-launch-vehicle-to-the-saxavord-spaceport/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72108 Rocket Factory Augsburg has delivered the first and second stages of its RFA ONE launch vehicle to the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, reaching an important milestone in preparation for the vehicle's first test flight, which is tentatively in summer 2026.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/12/space-comm-expo-scotland-2025-saxavords-big-year-ahead-with-robin-huber/ Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=69464 In this Space Café Clip from Space Comms Expo 2025 in Glasgow, SpaceWatch.Global Senior Editor and Field Reporter Laura Todd catches up with Robin Huber, Head of Europe for SaxaVord Spaceport - Scotland’s rapidly rising launch hub in the Shetland Islands.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/12/orbex-switches-to-launch-from-saxavord-spaceport/ Tue, 10 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62860 Orbex has announced its decision to switch its launch operations to Shetland after pausing construction of its spaceport in Sutherland. The decision also enables the launch services specialist to direct more funding to the development of its new, medium-sized launch vehicle, Proxima. As a result, SaxaVord Spaceport has welcomed Orbex to its growing stable of clients. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/09/west-of-scotland-space-cluster-to-facilitate-scotlands-space-development/ Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:00:41 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56924 The West of Scotland Space Cluster, the newest addition to the UK’s thriving ecosystem of regional space clusters, has launched, ahead of Space-Comm Expo Scotland at SEC Glasgow 11-12 September. The region is a key hub in the Scottish space sector, operating at the forefront of a European revolution in spacecraft systems, payload manufacture, launch (upstream) and data analysis (downstream) activity]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/rfa-loses-first-stage-to-explosion-during-hot-fire-test/ Tue, 20 Aug 2024 06:00:15 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56641 Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has reported the loss of its first stage during a hot fire test at the SaxaVord spaceport in Scotland. The nine-engine test was part of several trials which RFA were performing before progressing to launch. However, the hot fire test saw the explosion of RFA's first stage. The Company has also stated that no lives were lost in the anomalous explosion. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/07/uksa-funds-five-projects-across-scotland-through-nsip/ Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:36 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56305 The UK Space Agency has announced that it will be funding Five projects across Scotland, providing over £10.5 million in Scottish investment. The projects come from the National Space Innovation Program (NSIP) – which aims to invest in high-potential technologies and drive innovation and growth in the space sector across the UK.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/03/hyimpulse-receives-first-flight-license-for-its-sounding-rocket/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 07:00:09 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=54067 HyImpulse has received its first flight license from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for its sounding rocket, which is now ready to launch from the Shetland Islands thanks to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). Furthermore, the Company plans consecutive launches of the sounding rocket for later this year from the SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland. The rocket’s maiden launch will tentatively commence from Australia this April.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/12/saxavord-spaceport-receives-spaceport-licence-from-caa/ Wed, 20 Dec 2023 07:00:23 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=52877 SaxaVord Spaceport has received its licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), becoming the first licenced vertical launch spaceport in the UK and Western Europe. The award came after extensive assessment by the space regulator to check that appropriate safety, security and environmental criteria are met, and that SaxaVord has suitable infrastructure, equipment and services to accommodate vertical space launches.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/10/esa-awards-inrange-contract-to-three-companies/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 06:00:52 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=51692 The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Skyrora, Viasat, and CGI a contract under the Commercial Space Transportation Services program to demonstrate InRange, a space-based launch vehicle telemetry relay system which will benefit launch vehicle providers across the industry globally. InRange will enable Skyrora to achieve continuous transmission of telemetry data during flight, from launch to payload deployment.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/05/nearly-350-licences-issued-to-uk-space-sector/ Wed, 17 May 2023 06:00:12 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=48779 The Independent has reported that nearly 350 operating licences have been granted to companies in the UK space sector. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/05/hyimpulse-completes-eight-motor-testing-campaign/ Wed, 03 May 2023 06:00:09 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=48386 HyImpulse has completed its eighth campaign of motor testing in the Shetland Isles on the 26th of April. The high-level event featured representatives of the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency (ESA), Scottish Development International, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Shetland Islands Council, and local constituency members for the Scottish Parliament and UK Parliament.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/01/scottish-space-industry-experts-form-advisory-committee/ Fri, 20 Jan 2023 07:00:01 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=46124 A group of Scottish global space industry experts have formed a committee, the Scotland International Space Advisory Committee (SISAC), consisting of members of the Scottish Government’s GlobalScot program. GlobalScots are Scots around the world voluntarily providing expertise to identify opportunities to achieve a £4 billion (US $5 billion) share of the global space market.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/08/spaceport-in-discussions-to-become-green-freeport-subzone/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 06:00:11 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=42929 SaxaVord Spaceport is in talks with the North East Scotland Green Freeport (NESGF) bid partners to create a strategic partnership, under which SaxaVord would become a subzone of the NESGF, the Spaceport said. The Scottish spaceport will give place to the United Kingdom’s first vertical rocket launches in 2023, deploying small satellites into orbit. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/05/orbex-introduces-first-microlauncher-developed-in-europe-while-astra-partners-with-saxavord-uk/ Thu, 12 May 2022 06:00:19 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=40912 UK-based spaceflight company Orbex, has unveiled the first full-scale prototype of the Prime orbital launch vehicle on its dedicated launch pad. Prime is designed to launch small satellites to orbit and it is the first microlauncher developed in Europe to reach this stage of technical readiness. Orbex is now preparing for the first vertical rocket launch in history from UK soil.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/04/register-today-for-our-space-cafe-scotland-by-angela-mathis-on-28-april-2022/ Sat, 09 Apr 2022 08:00:44 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=40329&preview=true&preview_id=40329 This Space Café Scotland will feature movers and shakers from the Scottish Space Ecosystem in conversation with Angela Mathis, CEO of ThinkTank Maths and a friend of SpaceWatch.Global. "Building a Spaceport is more difficult than building a Rocket" - Angela Mathis in conversation with Frank Strang.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/03/spacewatchgl-opinion-european-spaceports/ Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:45 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=39899 A new €1 billion fund called “Cassini” was announced at the last European Space Conference, this fund will help to boost start-ups and space innovation, including supporting the plans for a more comprehensive strategy on developing European space launch vehicles.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/12/thinktank-maths-secures-funding-for-sst-project/ Fri, 17 Dec 2021 07:00:22 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=37976 ThinkTank Maths Limited (TTM) announced they secured R&D financing from Scottish Enterprise to develop enhanced space surveillance and tracking (SST) services. Launching more and more satellites each year is congesting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and it endangers economic activities on Earth.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/10/skyrora-signs-deal-with-shetland-spaceport-for-the-uks-first-rocket-launch/ Wed, 13 Oct 2021 06:00:10 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=36424 Skyrora has signed a multi-launch deal over the next decade with SaxaVord Spaceport (formerly Shetland Space Centre) on Unst, the Shetland Islands. With the agreement, Skyrora is to become the first company to launch a rocket from UK soil. The company is aiming to deliver up to 16 launches a year by 2030.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/07/shetland-space-centre-changes-its-name-to-saxavord-spaceport/ Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:00:46 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=34092&preview=true&preview_id=34092 The Shetland Space Centre is changing its name to SaxaVord Spaceport, the center said. The rocket launch site and ground station, located in the UK’s most northerly island of Unst, Shetland, is the designated site of next year’s UK Pathfinder launch by Lockheed Martin and ABL Systems.]]>