Space / SaxaVord could be used for German monitoring satellites following agreement
SAXAVORD Spaceport could be used to launch monitoring satellites as well as commercial satellites as concerns about global geopolitical uncertainties mount.
The UK and German space industries are set to join forces to provide rapid vertical launch capabilities from the Unst spaceport.
SaxaVord Spaceport and German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) have said they will support the launching of intelligence gathering and monitoring satellites.
It follows the Trinity House agreement announced by the two governments in October last year, which is designed to deepen UK-German defence co-operation.
With RFA and other clients gearing up to lift off from SaxaVord, the two nations are seeking to take the lead within NATO to step up Europe’s space launch ambitions.
SaxaVord Spaceport said it was “attracting greater interest” because it had access to space “at a time of mounting geo-political and economic uncertainty”.
Its chief executive Frank Strang said all of the licences were now in place for orbital vertical launch, with the finishing touches being put to the infrastructure on site.
“SaxaVord has been collaborating closely with RFA for several years now and has been advocating for and driving this key UK-German initiative,” he said.
“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.
“We at SaxaVord are ready, willing and able to support this historic partnership.”
RFA co-founder Jörn Spurmann called it a “decisive step toward securing Europe’s leadership in space defence and strategic deterrence.”
And General Traut, head of German Space Command, said having access to sovereign launch “will be very important for our security.”
Former UK security Tom Tugendhat added: “What happens in space changes lives on earth.
“A sovereign launch site is essential to defending our interests and our allies. We can’t make choices if we don’t invest in our capabilities. That’s why SaxaVord matters.
“In partnership with Germany and others in Europe the investment in Britain’s ability to put satellites up makes us commercially and globally more secure.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
