6 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'Home-grown' rocket company Skyrora in UK space sector first
Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin said the journey to the granting of the licence by the UK Civil Aviation Authority had been "a long but ultimately rewarding one", adding that he was grateful to authorities for their due diligence in ensuring all launch activities are "held to the highest of standards".
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'It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities," he added. "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.'
Set up in 2017, the Skyrora rocket business and its parent company Skyrora Ventures are owned by Mr Levykin and "family and friends" who have financed operations to date. The company's SkyLark L vehicle will carry payloads of up to 50 kilograms on behalf of commercial operators such as telecommunications providers.
The company has not given an expected date for its first journey into space, but noted that SkyLark L is "operationally ready for launch".
Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin says sovereign UK launch capability is essential (Image: Syyrora)
'Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora, its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation," said Rob Bishton, chief executive of the CAA. "Our work as the UK's space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it.'
It has been estimated that by 2030, the international market for launch, satellite, payload and space data services will be worth $1 trillion (£772 billion) annually. Scotland aims to capture about £4bn of this.
"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 said.
"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 blast off from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland."
