Space · Spaceport
SaxaVord on Unst in Shetland is being developed for launches of small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits.[1]
Prospective launch operator Skyrora is tentatively aiming for its first orbital launch in 2030, according to COO Jack-James Marlow’s 2 October interview with Payload. This is an operator’s rocket-development forecast; it does not set the completion date of SaxaVord or the schedules of its other operators.
The Civil Aviation Authority has licensed HyImpulse UK to launch its SR75 vehicle from SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst. The licence is dated 28 September and was published in the CAA’s register on 1 October. It permits suborbital flights, normally one launch per twelve months, subject to insurance, range-safety and other conditions being satisfied before flight.
Skyrora COO Jack-James Marlow told Payload that the company is tentatively aiming for an orbital launch in 2030, following an earlier optimistic forecast of late 2026. The date applies to Skyrora’s rocket programme. SaxaVord’s other operators have separate launch schedules.