Cornish air ambulance raises £2.85m for second helicopter
Mr Bunting said the new vehicle was "only possible thanks to the incredible community spirit of our county".He added: "I want to say a wholehearted and massive thank you for helping us to save even more lives for years to come."The second helicopter, registration G-CNLL, is currently undergoing its medical fit in Gloucester and is expected to start service in the summer.A spokesperson said: "The medical fit is the build in the rear cabin which enables the crew to bring the 'hospital' to scene. "Essentially, it is all the components needed to turn the air ambulance into a fully kitted out critical care resource."
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Metro
05-08-2025
- Metro
Global space race hots up with UK's 'first rocket launch' and moon reactor plans
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It's all kicking off in the world (or well, no world) of space today, with both the UK and US making massive steps in the space race. In the UK, a Scottish company has received the cosmic equivalent of a space driving license. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has given the green light for Skyrora to launch a rocket from a remote Scottish island. If the launch is successful, Skyrora would become the first British company to manufacture and launch a rocket into space from the UK. SaxaVord, a former radar station on Unst in the Shetland Islands, is the country's only space port – the world of tomorrow is today, folks. It would also be the first rocket launch on British soil in 50 years, when Black Arrow, launched from Woomera in 1971, placed a satellite into orbit. Skylark XL can reach an altitude of 500km, piercing a layer of warm air called the thermosphere, where many satellites and spacecraft orbit. It lacks the capabilities to reach low-Earth orbit, however, the goal of most micro launch companies. The rocket is made from 3D-printed parts and is capable of reaching 3.5 times the speed of sound. Skylark XL could be used to conduct cheap microgravity experiments. The Skylark XL product page says the craft is designed to place payloads into polar orbit up to 1,000km in the atmosphere. Scots could be craning their necks up high to see a 12-metre-long suborbital rocket, a Skylark L, tearing through the clouds next year. The end goal is to launch the bulkier Skyrora XL model. The licence, which was granted last month, says Skyrora can launch a rocket into the heavens up to 16 times a year by 2030. Rob Bishton, CEO of CAA, told Metro: '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.' Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, welcomed the news. He told Metro: '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.' Alan Thompson, head of government affairs at Skyrora, told Metro that the launchpad won't be used commercially but will test different space tech. 'As for future launches, two of the three stages of the XL vehicle are complete, and we expect to deliver the first stage soon,' he added. 'We plan to complete integration tests of the XL vehicle next year, dependent on manufacturing timelines, and target a launch in 2027.' As the UK reaches for the stars, the US is thinking bigger – both the US and China are working to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon. The US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to announce fast-tracked plans to achieve this, fearing that if China does so first, they could 'potentially declare a keep-out zone'. The mini reactor will generate 100 kilowatts of electrical power – enough to keep the lights on for about 80 households – and will be ready to launch by 2029, Duffy wrote in a directive according to Politico. More Trending He added: 'To properly advance this critical technology to be able to support a future lunar economy, high power energy generation on Mars, and to strengthen our national security in space, it is imperative the agency move quickly.' Nuclear power is the only reliable option for astronauts living on the Moon, where a day is about a month, half spent in scorching sun and the other in frigid darkness. The Moon's South Pole is likely where a nuclear reactor could be set up, where it's sunny 80% more of the time and frozen water hides in craters. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Earth is spinning so fast that today will be shorter – but is time going faster? MORE: Storm Floris causes flight disruption as Jet2 and Easyjet issue updates MORE: Rail passengers warned not to travel north of Newcastle when Storm Floris hits
Scotsman
05-08-2025
- Scotsman
Scotland leading UK's space race as Skyrora granted ‘milestone' launch licence
'This launch licence isn't just one giant leap for Skyrora - it's a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK's space sector' – Scottish secretary Ian Murray Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Skyrora is poised to become the first British company to manufacture and launch a rocket into space from Scottish soil after being granted an operator's licence, in a milestone moment for the groundbreaking project. In 2021, the firm signed an agreement with SaxaVord, the spaceport based on the Shetland island of Unst, with the goal of achieving up to 16 launches per year by 2030. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The approval of a launch operator licence from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) puts Skyrora on course to launch its SkyLark L suborbital rocket from British soil. The Skyrora team pictured with the company's rocket, which will launch from a spaceport based on the Shetland island of Unst. Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive of Cumbernauld-headquartered Skyrora, said: 'Becoming the first homegrown company in the UK to receive a launch operator licence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora. We are pleased to be able to move forward with our launch plans. 'Given that operators like us, alongside the CAA, have been forging a new path, the journey to getting our UK licence has been a long but ultimately rewarding one. 'It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities. Not only to unlock commercial activity for companies that need to access space and to help achieve the government's objectives for becoming a global player in the space sector, but also from a strategic defence consideration. 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.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Standing 11 metres tall and with a payload mass of 50kg, Skylark L is capable of travelling beyond the Kármán line, a generally accepted boundary marking the transition from Earth's atmosphere to outer space. The vehicle is produced using 3D printed components in the UK. Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: 'This launch licence isn't just one giant leap for Skyrora - it's a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK's space sector. Becoming the first British company to manufacture and send a rocket into space from the UK will be a hugely significant moment. I'm very proud that Scotland is at the forefront of such pioneering technology and I look forward to the blast off from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.' Richard Lochhead, Scotland's minister for business, said: 'Securing the UK's first launch operator licence is a landmark moment in Skyrora's plans to become the first company in the UK to build and launch a rocket into space. It is also a significant milestone and a hugely exciting development for the space sector in Scotland, with Skyrora's partnership with Saxavord spaceport in Shetland meaning we move a step closer to the prospect of a Scottish-headquartered company launching a rocket into space from a Scottish spaceport.'
The National
05-08-2025
- The National
History made as Scottish rocket firm hits 'major milestone'
With this new licence, Skyrora will be permitted up to 16 sub-orbital launches per year from the UK's first licenced vertical launch spaceport, SaxaVord, in the Shetland Islands. With headquarters in Glasgow and their manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, this marks a 'major milestone' for the UK's emerging space sector, according to Rob Bishton, the chief executive of the CAA. Bishton 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.' With this licence, Skyrora plans to launch and operate their sub-orbital Skylark L vehicle, subject to CAA authorisation. In August of 2018 in Ross-shire, Skyrora successfully conducted the first ever rocket test launch in Scotland by a private firm. Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive of Skyrora, welcomed the news of the new licence, saying: '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.' He further added that 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'. READ MORE: Scottish company to launch rockets into space 'next year' Skyrora's success marks a pivotal moment in the UK's aerospace history, the firm said. The last time the UK sent a rocket into space was five decades ago in 1971 with the 'Black Arrow' Rocket. To this day, that has been the only orbital launch using a British-built rocket, though the launch itself was conducted in Australia. Skyrora underwent a vetting process in order to be granted the new licence, the CAA said, including safety protocols, international obligations, and environmental impact mitigation. The CAA said it will also continue to play a vital oversight role during the launches, ensuring Skyrora complies with all conditions of the licence. These conditions include adequate insurance, a data-sharing agreement with the UK Government, agreements with the [[spaceport]], and coordination with international airspace authorities. The SaxaVord Spaceport was granted the UK's first vertical launch licence in December 2023, and received its range control licence in April 2024. The chief executive of the UK Space Agency, Dr Paul Bate, praised Skyrora. He 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.' He further added: 'With companies like Skyrora, we're positioning Britain as the natural choice for customers seeking reliable, cost-effective access to space from European soil.' Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government's business minister, said: 'Securing the UK's first launch operator licence is a landmark moment in Skyrora's plans to become the first company in the UK to build and launch a rocket into space.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray (Image: PA) Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, said: "This launch licence isn't just one giant leap for Skyrora – it's a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK's space sector. Becoming the first British company to manufacture and send a rocket into space from the UK will be a hugely significant moment. "It's an exciting time for the Scottish space sector – an important industry which is playing a vital role in our Plan for Change, helping economic growth and employing thousands of people in good quality jobs across the country. 'Glasgow in particular is a city and region with a huge role to play in the space race, with innovation in this field the focus of its £160 million UK Government funded Investment Zone status. This zone, established with local partners, is expected to generate around £300 million of initial private investment and support up to 10,000 jobs in the region."
