Latest news with #Bishton
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- 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."
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Temperatures to again hit highs of 24C as pet owners urged to take precautions due to the heat
It will be another warm and dry day today with plenty of sunshine before a chill sets in overnight, with temperatures dropping from as high as 24C to as low as 4C tonight. Veterinary Ireland's deputy chief executive Peter Bishton has advised pet owners to remember the acronym 'WAVES', which stands for 'water, ventilation and shade'. While hydration is crucial, he said there were a number of water-based risks from algae poisoning to drowning to keep in mind when giving in to the temptation for your dog to 'cool down by taking a splash in a river lake or pond'. "Before letting your dog jump in, please check the water. Where algae are growing in the water or are visible on the shoreline, there may be an increased risk of algae poisoning - algae can produce toxins which may be lethal to dogs. Should your dog swallow any algae, please consult your vet immediately,' Mr Bishton said. 'Even if the water is safe from algae, when throwing anything into a river or lake for your dog to fetch, please be aware that there is the potential for drowning.' The risk of drowning increasing during the summer months due to a higher rate of exhaustion or from cooling down rapidly, while he also urged owners to ensure that any space is kept at a comfortable temperature for their pet as they cool down through panting. Flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs or Pekingese are specifically at-risk during summer months as selective breeding has created respiratory problems in many of these breeds. "Shade is critically important, as dogs and cats can also suffer from sunburn. Ears, noses, paw pads, and areas where the fur is thinner, such as on the stomach, can all get burnt in the summer sun,' he said. A dog's exercise should be timed for the cooler parts of the day, while the overall age and health of the pet should be considered as any existed condition can be exacerbated by the summer weather. Those in the midlands today should keep the tips in mind today as those counties will get the warmest conditions throughout the day today, with temperatures of 17C to 24C expected throughout the country. ADVERTISEMENT Dry weather will continue overnight with lows of 4C to 9C expected. Tomorrow will follow a similar pattern of dry conditions with plenty of sunshine and highs of 17C along the east coast, though temperatures will be much warmer in the west – hitting highs of 24 or 25C. Saturday night will also be dry with lows of 5 to 10C expected. Met Éireann has said the outlook for the coming days shows mostly dry, warm and settled conditions with warmest weather in the west. Another dry day with good spells of sunshine is expected for Sunday as temperatures will, again, hit highs between 17C to 24 or 25C. Monday will continue to follow this pattern of good weather with dry and sunny spells with highs of 16C to 23C. Current indications from Met Éireann show Tuesday to Thursday next week will also be largely dry with good sunny conditions, though the spell may be broken by a few possible showers. Temperatures are likely to range from the mid-teens to the low twenties.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Temperatures to again hit highs of 24 degrees as pet owners urged to take precautions due to the heat
It will be another warm and dry day today with plenty of sunshine before a chill sets in overnight, with temperatures dropping from as high as 24C to as low as 4C tonight. Veterinary Ireland's deputy chief executive Peter Bishton has advised pet owners to remember the acronym 'WAVES' as the sunny spells continue, which stands for 'water, ventilation and shade'. While hydration is crucial, he said there are a number of water-based risks from algae poisoning to drowning to keep in mind when giving in to the temptation for your dog to 'cool down by taking a splash in a river lake or pond'. "Before letting your dog jump in, please check the water. Where algae are growing in the water or are visible on the shoreline, there may be an increased risk of algae poisoning - algae can produce toxins which may be lethal to dogs. Should your dog swallow any algae, please consult your vet immediately,' Mr Bishton said. 'Even if the water is safe from algae, when throwing anything into a river or lake for your dog to fetch, please be aware that there is the potential for drowning.' The risk of drowning increasing during the summer months due to a higher rate of exhaustion or from cooling down rapidly, while he also urged owners to ensure that any space is kept at a comfortable temperature for their pet as they cool down through panting. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs or Pekingese, are specifically at-risk during summer months as selective breeding has created respiratory problems in many of these breeds. "Shade is critically important, as dogs and cats can also suffer from sunburn. Ears, noses, paw pads, and areas where the fur is thinner, such as on the stomach, can all get burnt in the summer sun,' he said. A dog's exercise should be timed for the cooler parts of the day, while the overall age and health of the pet should be considered as any existed condition can be exacerbated by the summer weather. Those in the midlands today should keep the tips in mind today as those counties will get the warmest conditions throughout the day today, with temperatures of 17C to 24C expected throughout the country. ADVERTISEMENT Dry weather will continue overnight with lows of 4C to 9C expected. Tomorrow will follow a similar pattern of dry conditions with plenty of sunshine and highs of 17C along the east coast, though temperatures will be much warmer in the west – hitting highs of 24 or 25C. Saturday night will also be dry with lows of 5 to 10C expected. Met Éireann has said the outlook for the coming days shows mostly dry, warm and settled conditions with warmest weather in the west. Another dry day with good spells of sunshine is expected for Sunday as temperatures will, again, hit highs between 17C to 24 or 25C. Monday will continue to follow this pattern of good weather with dry and sunny spells with highs of 16C to 23C. Current indications from Met Éireann show Tuesday to Thursday next week will also be largely dry with good sunny conditions, though the spell may be broken by a few possible showers. Temperatures are likely to range from the mid-teens to the low twenties.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Subaru Trailseeker revealed at New York Auto Show
Subaru is going back to its roots with a four-wheel drive estate model, but with electric power for the first time. The new Subaru Trailseeker was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. Subaru confirmed that the new EV will go on sale in the UK in the middle of next year, but it's possible that the name Trailseeker may not make it over to the UK or Europe. Although Subaru didn't reveal many details of the Trailseeker at the show, the new model is obviously based on the Subaru Solterra, which also received a raft of updates in New York. The Trailseeker is about 150mm longer than the Solterra, but will share the same 73.1kWh battery with a range that we would expect to be over 300 miles. In keeping with Subaru's reputation for building rugged 4x4s, the Trailseeker gets 210mm of ground clearance and comes with Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system and the brand's adjustable X-Mode 4x4 tech. Grip control and a system to limit speed as the car goes down an incline will also be standard. The Trailseeker uses the same dash architecture as the Solterra with a 14in infotainment screen, a smaller digital driver display set high up on the dash, two wireless smartphone chargers and high-power USB sockets. A revised Solterra, the EV SUV that was co-developed between Subaru and Toyota, was also on show in New York featuring new headlights, a revised bumper, a new rear spoiler and new badging at the back. There's a handy increase in battery range thanks to a new preconditioning system, which should take range up to around 350 miles. Toyota recently announced similar revisions to its version of the Solterra, the Toyota bZ4X, with both Toyota and the Subaru models set to go on sale in the UK in early 2026. The new Trailseeker – or whatever it gets called in the UK – is part of a Subaru EV onslaught with UK MD Lorraine Bishton telling The Independent earlier this year that her brand would be launching six new EVs over the next three years. With the revised Solterra and new Trailseeker counting as two of those models, we can expect a range of 4x4-focused EVs coming to Subaru dealers as the brand starts to aim at Land Rover owners. 'You've got a group of customers that want all-wheel drive capability and either feel that the Land Rover brand is too expensive for them or a bit too flashy for them,' Bishton said. 'I think Subaru does provide a really credible alternative.'
The Independent
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
New Subaru Trailseeker revealed at New York Auto Show
Subaru is going back to its roots with a four-wheel drive estate model, but with electric power for the first time. The new Subaru Trailseeker was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. Subaru confirmed that the new EV will go on sale in the UK in the middle of next year, but it's possible that the name Trailseeker may not make it over to the UK or Europe. Although Subaru didn't reveal many details of the Trailseeker at the show, the new model is obviously based on the Subaru Solterra, which also received a raft of updates in New York. The Trailseeker is about 150mm longer than the Solterra, but will share the same 73.1kWh battery with a range that we would expect to be over 300 miles. In keeping with Subaru's reputation for building rugged 4x4s, the Trailseeker gets 210mm of ground clearance and comes with Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system and the brand's adjustable X-Mode 4x4 tech. Grip control and a system to limit speed as the car goes down an incline will also be standard. The Trailseeker uses the same dash architecture as the Solterra with a 14in infotainment screen, a smaller digital driver display set high up on the dash, two wireless smartphone chargers and high-power USB sockets. A revised Solterra, the EV SUV that was co-developed between Subaru and Toyota, was also on show in New York featuring new headlights, a revised bumper, a new rear spoiler and new badging at the back. There's a handy increase in battery range thanks to a new preconditioning system, which should take range up to around 350 miles. Toyota recently announced similar revisions to its version of the Solterra, the Toyota bZ4X, with both Toyota and the Subaru models set to go on sale in the UK in early 2026. The new Trailseeker – or whatever it gets called in the UK – is part of a Subaru EV onslaught with UK MD Lorraine Bishton telling The Independent earlier this year that her brand would be launching six new EVs over the next three years. With the revised Solterra and new Trailseeker counting as two of those models, we can expect a range of 4x4-focused EVs coming to Subaru dealers as the brand starts to aim at Land Rover owners. 'You've got a group of customers that want all-wheel drive capability and either feel that the Land Rover brand is too expensive for them or a bit too flashy for them,' Bishton said. 'I think Subaru does provide a really credible alternative.'
