Satellites to be launched from the UK

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Lift-off for Scotland: Sutherland to host first UK spaceport

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A remote, boggy stretch of land on the north coast of Scotland is likely to become the UK's first spaceport.

The A'Mhoine Peninsula in Sutherland has been chosen as the most suitable place from which to launch rockets vertically to put satellites in orbit.

The UK Space Agency is giving Highlands and Islands Enterprise £2.5m towards the development of the facility.

HIE will work closely with a consortium that includes the American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

The goal would be to have launches as early as possible in the 2020s.

Read More: BBC News

 

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Virgin Orbit agreement to launch satellites from Cornwall

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Virgin Orbit has eneterd into a partnership agreement with Spaceport Cornwall which will see satellite launches return to the UK for the first time in 50 years.

The partnership with Satellite launch provider, Virgin Orbit, will see launches from a Spaceport at Cornwall Airport Newquay by 2021, using a modified Boeing 747-400 aircraft called “Cosmic Girl”.

The Jumbo-Jet will carry a “LauncherOne” rocket under its wing to a launch range over the Atlantic and release the rocket at around 35,000 feet for onward flight into space, carrying a satellite into Earth orbit.

Read More: UK Aviation News

 

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Sutherland spaceport project to move to next stage

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Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) said it will "step up" its engagement with people who live close to the site of a proposed spaceport in Sutherland.

Land on the Melness Crofters Estate (MCE) has been identified as the potential location for the launching of rockets carrying micro satellites.

MCE is set to work with HIE on the project following a ballot of crofters.

However, the spaceport is opposed by a campaign group set up by some crofters and non-crofting residents.

  Read More: BBC News