SUTHERLAND, Scotland - The U.K. Space agency has selected the first vertical launch site in Sutherland on the north coast of Scotland. After a period of study, the agency determined that Scotland is the best place in the U.K. to reach in-demand satellite orbits with vertically launched rockets. These likely include polar and sun-synchronous orbits. Initial funding of GBP2.5 million ($3.31 million) will go to Highlands and Islands Enterprise to develop the vertical launch site in Sutherland.

The U.K. Space Agency has also made available GBP2 million ($2.65 million) to boost horizontal spaceport development across Britain. Funding will support sites such as Newquay, Glasgow Prestwick, and Snowdonia and will be used to support sub-orbital flight, satellite launch, and spaceplane programs.

At the same time as the announcement of a site, the U.K. Space Agency announces a partnership with two launch companies. The first was with Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin provided few details about this specific projects, but some in the industry believe Lockheed Martin will use Rocket Lab Electron lightweight launch vehicles to carry payloads from the launch center. Lockheed Martin made a strategic investment in Rocket Lab in 2015.

The second company will be Orbex, which will launch its Prime lightweight launch vehicle from the launch center in Sutherland. Orbex raised GBP30 million ($39.6 million) from the U.K. Space Agency and other investment firms to continue development of its launch vehicle, which it says will carry payloads to orbits up to 1,250 kilometers in altitude.

Signing deals with space launch companies gives the U.K. Space Agency anchor customers as it begins the process of developing the Sutherland site.

Source: U.K. Government
Associated URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-giant-leap-vertical-launch-spaceport-to-bring-uk-into-new-space-age
Author: B. Ostrove, Analyst