Space / SaxaVord ‘really important’ to UK Space Agency’s ambitions, director says
THE UK Space Agency says its £20 million investment in Scottish rocket company Orbex which plans to use SaxaVord Spaceport should “accelerate” the firm’s journey to first launch.
Director of launch at the UK Government agency Matthew Archer described the development as a “really positive step” forward.
He added that 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for the space industry in the UK given that two rocket companies – RFA and Orbex – aim to launch from SaxaVord in Unst this year.
The Scottish company recently signalled its intention to move operations from the proposed Sutherland spaceport in the Highlands to Unst.
Speaking to Shetland News, Archer said the investment is “a big part of showing government’s ambition for launch, and supporting the Scottish space economy”.
“They [Orbex] recently announced their move to SaxaVord and we’re keen to see them be successful, and the investment will just help accelerate their journey to first launch,” he added.
In March last year it was also announced that the UK Government was putting £10 million of investment into the SaxaVord Spaceport to help accelerate its capital works programme.
When asked if more government funding could be coming SaxaVord’s way, Archer said: “At this stage we’re still discussing our budgets for next year and the spending review.
“There’s no particular forward look that I can give that says we’re expecting to make more investments in the sector, but that’s just a circumstance of where we are in our fiscal year.
“What I can say is we’re prioritising launch with ministers, and again that’s part of the spending review process, to say ultimately what we can spend over the next kind of four years. I’m positive, but we need to wait for that to come through.”
Meanwhile the Space Agency director said SaxaVord Spaceport, which has yet to host its first launch, stands to be a “really important site for the UK”.
He said a hot fire test from RFA last year which saw rocket equipment go up in flames did not go to plan, but it “actually moved SaxaVord forward in terms of having the relevant ground support equipment and infrastructure to ensure that they were ready to conduct a launch”.
“They’re making strong progress, and Orbex moving to their site is a real boost – it gives them confidence to grow the facilities and make sure they can operate a multi-pad spaceport,” Archer said.
“For us, we’re anticipating that it will be the leading site for launch in the UK. So, it is really important to our ambitions.”
He also said that there is usually not a week that goes by in which the UK Space Agency and SaxaVord does not have dialogue.
“So whether that’s about their progress or about potential future partnerships, or international programmes that they might play a role in, we’re speaking regularly,” Archer said.
The emergence of the spaceport in Unst has also bolstered the case for tunnels to Shetland’s North Isles.
Earlier this month, for instance, the ferries to Unst were reduced to a single vessel as a result of dry dock delays.
The owner of a tearoom in Britain’s most northerly island also recently spoke about the impact ferry disruption last year caused to the business.
Archer said transport connections is a “difficult challenge to work through” but noted that it is a matter for the government’s Department for Transport.
Meanwhile the space agency director also reiterated that the organisation is continuing to evaluate its options regarding the proposed ‘Pathfinder’ launch involving Lockheed Martin which had been slated to take to the skies from Unst.
The project was set to see the aerospace giant team up with US-based operator ABL for an orbital launch from SaxaVord, with millions of pounds of backing from the UK Government on the table.
However ABL has now exited the commercial launch market and is focusing on missile defence.
Archer said the project “looks challenging given that ABL have pulled out effectively” and added that decisions are likely to be made in the weeks or months ahead.
Meanwhile, news of the £20 million investment into Orbex has also been welcomed by local MP Alistair Carmichael.
“Paired with the launch licence for RFA earlier this month this is an exciting moment for everyone involved in the space industry in Shetland,” the Orkney and Shetland MP said.
“The space industry has the potential to drive quality jobs in Shetland, in Scotland and across the UK.
“Having pressed ministers in recent months over the need for great investment, the announcement today by the government is an encouraging sign that they understand the opportunities at play here.
“We are fortunate to have significant advantages in this sector – now we have to leverage them.”
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