Latest news with #SaxaVord
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
I'm Scotland's first astronaut – here's why celeb space trips like Katy Perry's are a good thing
His prediction comes weeks after Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight RISING STAR I'm Scotland's first astronaut – here's why celeb space trips like Katy Perry's are a good thing Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S first astronaut has insisted space trips can help save Earth. And David Mackay, 68, backed spaceports in this country to lead the way. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 He became the nation's first man to travel to space in 2019 3 It comes weeks after Blue Origin's historic all-female spaceflight Credit: The Mega Agency 3 David reckons SaxaVord's rocket hub on Unst in Shetland will soon be in demand Credit: PA He reckons more people will become inspired to tackle climate change after experiencing jaw-dropping views of the globe from orbit. His prediction comes weeks after Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight featuring pop singer Katy Perry. Campaigners insist the trips increase pollution via greenhouse gas emissions. But dad-of-two David, who piloted a Virgin Galactic trip in 2019, said: 'When it comes to celebrity space tourism, these passengers are incredibly influential. "If they come back inspired, talking about how fragile the planet is and urging people to take action, that can be a powerful force for good. 'There's no easy Plan B for Earth. We've got to look after it.' David, of Helmsdale, Sutherland, reckons SaxaVord's rocket hub on Unst in Shetland will soon be in demand. It is gearing up for lift-off in July. The US-based spaceman added: 'There's huge potential for space tourism here. "Scotland is a beautiful country. It could become a hotspot for people eager to venture into space.' Was Blue Origin mission FAKED? Conspiracy theorists reveal 'proof' We told previously how NASA's oldest serving astronaut made a detour to Scotland on return from his space mission. Don Pettit, 70, and his colleagues returned to Earth in a parachute-assisted capsule landing last month. They spent 220 days in space and orbited the Earth 3,520 times, NASA said in a statement. But Dr Pettit also made flying visit to Scotland on his way home.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German military could launch intelligence satellites from Scotland
Intelligence-gathering satellites could be launched into space from Scotland under an initiative involving the German military. In a bid to strengthen Europe's defence links, the German air force's space command wants to use SaxaVord Spaceport for 'sovereign launch' capabilities. It will mean the spaceport on Unst in the Shetland Islands will carry out launches of military as well as commercial satellites. 'Sovereign launch' refers to the ability to reach space quickly and independently in the event of a conflict or disruption to vital satellites. Some in the space industry have pointed out that the US holds the vast majority of the world's sovereign launch capability, while Europe currently has almost no equivalent. The approach of the Trump administration to transatlantic security has led to European countries reconsidering their defence priorities. A German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), hopes to carry out the first satellite launch from UK soil and is planning to blast off from the privately-owned SaxaVord later this year. RFA and SaxaVord made the announcement at the SpaceComm expo in London's Docklands on Tuesday. SaxaVord chief executive Frank Strang said: 'We have all our licences for orbital vertical launch already in place, and we are putting the finishing touches to infrastructure on site to support our partners – in particular Rocket Factory Augsburg, which has made a significant financial investment in our spaceport. 'We live in an unpredictable and ever more dangerous world and space as a domain has an ever increasing role to play in keeping us secure and protecting our economies. 'The UK and Europe have an asset in SaxaVord that can play a huge role in maintaining the status quo and, combined with RFA, a capability that can help defend our combined interests.' Major General Michael Traut, commander of the German air force's space command, said: 'For me, it has even become more important to strengthen links between our traditional European partners, especially in regard to space. 'What we are seeing today between German and UK companies is very encouraging. Having access to sovereign launch will be very important for our security.' RFA co-founder Jorn Spurmann said: 'By combining cutting-edge launch technology with SaxaVord's strategic location, we are reinforcing the backbone of a resilient, agile European defence network in space.'
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
German military could launch intelligence satellites from Scotland
Intelligence-gathering satellites could be launched into space from Scotland under an initiative involving the German military. In a bid to strengthen Europe's defence links, the German air force's space command wants to use SaxaVord Spaceport for 'sovereign launch' capabilities. It will mean the spaceport on Unst in the Shetland Islands will carry out launches of military as well as commercial satellites. 'Sovereign launch' refers to the ability to reach space quickly and independently in the event of a conflict or disruption to vital satellites. Some in the space industry have pointed out that the US holds the vast majority of the world's sovereign launch capability, while Europe currently has almost no equivalent. The approach of the Trump administration to transatlantic security has led to European countries reconsidering their defence priorities. A German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), hopes to carry out the first satellite launch from UK soil and is planning to blast off from the privately-owned SaxaVord later this year. RFA and SaxaVord made the announcement at the SpaceComm expo in London's Docklands on Tuesday. SaxaVord chief executive Frank Strang said: 'We have all our licences for orbital vertical launch already in place, and we are putting the finishing touches to infrastructure on site to support our partners – in particular Rocket Factory Augsburg, which has made a significant financial investment in our spaceport. 'We live in an unpredictable and ever more dangerous world and space as a domain has an ever increasing role to play in keeping us secure and protecting our economies. 'The UK and Europe have an asset in SaxaVord that can play a huge role in maintaining the status quo and, combined with RFA, a capability that can help defend our combined interests.' Major General Michael Traut, commander of the German air force's space command, said: 'For me, it has even become more important to strengthen links between our traditional European partners, especially in regard to space. 'What we are seeing today between German and UK companies is very encouraging. Having access to sovereign launch will be very important for our security.' RFA co-founder Jorn Spurmann said: 'By combining cutting-edge launch technology with SaxaVord's strategic location, we are reinforcing the backbone of a resilient, agile European defence network in space.'
