Achi news desk-
It means the CAA is confident the spaceport can keep maritime and aviation traffic safe when rockets blast off from the site on the Shetland Islands.
The airport license comes after SaxaVord received its spaceport license in December, which verified that the private site meets the safety and environmental requirements for vertical space launches.
Frank Strange of SaxaVord welcomed the license (Image: (SaxaVord/PA))The next part of the regulatory process will be a launch operator license for the companies wishing to use the spaceport.
Colin Macleod, head of space regulation at the CAA, said: “SaxaVord’s firing range license is vital to safeguarding public safety during launches.
“Our work enables an expanding UK space sector and encourages the safety, sustainability and security of space.”
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German company Rocket Factory Augsburg hopes to be the first to launch satellites into space from Unst later this year, although a number of organizations have expressed interest in using the site.
Ultimately, they wish to increase the frequency of their launches to around one per month.
Frank Strang, chief executive of SaxaVord Spaceport, said: “We are delighted that we have received our airport license from the Civil Aviation Authority and that it has been approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, following on from our port licence. space in December last year.
German company Rocket Factory Augsburg hopes to launch later this year (Image: (Rocket Factory Augsburg))“Both awards are historic milestones for ourselves in Shetland and for the development of the UK space sector as a whole.
“This is a vital element in our preparations for launch. Satisfying such a vital part of the regulatory process gives everyone the comfort that we will always operate in a safe and appropriate manner under the watchful eyes of the regulator.
“As Western Europe’s only licensed vertical launch port, we are now preparing to make more space history with the start of orbital launch operations well underway with the first launch expected to be in Q3 of this year.”
READ MORE: Shetland’s Saxavord spaceport cleared for vertical rocket launches
The CAA says the size of the clearance zones will depend on the type of rocket being used, and that larger areas are needed for early launches due to the higher risk of failure.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Today’s announcement is an important next step for SaxaVord as it prepares for the first commercial vertical space launch in the UK.
“It is vital that launches are safe for everyone involved, and this range license will ensure that – enabling SaxaVord to continue to support skilled jobs in the UK and help grow the economy.”
