A giant leap for the UK space sector – but more launch sites are key!

The Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to grant Skyrora the first UK-based space launch licence marks a pivotal moment for the UK’s space ambitions. For the first time, a homegrown company is on the cusp of manufacturing and launching a rocket from UK soil, a milestone that could reshape how the UK is perceived in the global space economy. It’s not just symbolic; it signals a real step toward reducing reliance on overseas facilities for launches that non-equatorial sites can support, such as Skyrora’s suborbital Skylark L. This development creates an attractive opportunity for businesses seeking alternative, cost-effective launch options. Skyrora’s ambition to scale up to 16 launches a year by 2030 underscores the sector’s commercial potential.

However, the UK space sector has historically focused on downstream activities, such as satellite manufacturing and data services, rather than launch infrastructure. Depending on SaxaVord’s success, the industry may now broaden its horizons. Other sites, such as Sutherland, remain promising but have been hampered by planning delays, stalling construction and slowing progress [The Scottish spaceport stuck in limbo - BBC News]. With the sector growing rapidly, strategic investment in multiple launch locations is essential. A diversified network of spaceports would not only enhance capacity and resilience but also spread economic benefits across the UK.

Ultimately, the Skyrora licence is a huge step forward, but it should be the first of many. If the UK is serious about competing globally, it must build the infrastructure to match its ambitions, from the upstream spaceports to the specialist downstream research and manufacturing space hubs. 

For more on the UK’s spaceports and space hubs, see my previous article: UK space law: introducing the UK's new spaceports and space hubs