UK and German governments plan to use Shetland spaceport

A mock up showing a rocket launch at SaxaVord. The rocket is rising vertically from the launch site on a rocky peninsula at Unst. The rocket leaves a cloud of smoke behind it.

The UK and German governments say they plan to use SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland as part of increased cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement follows a meeting between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin last week.

In a joint statement, the two governments said they would deepen strategic cooperation on civil, commercial, security and defence interests in space.

SaxaVord in Unst is the UK's first fully-licensed spaceport and has regulatory approval for up to 30 rocket launches a year.

Last month, the UK government announced investment of £30m in the spaceport as part of a new national space strategy.

SaxaVord said the funding was a "hugely significant" vote of confidence and would unlock a further £30m of private investment.

Map showing SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst one of the Shetland islands. It's location on a map of the UK is also highlighted

Two German companies have signed launch agreements with the spaceport.

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) is working towards its first vertical orbital test flight from UK soil.

In August, SaxaVord paused plans for a test launch after RFA said it had "encountered an issue".

A five-week "launch window" had been due to begin, with temporary traffic restrictions introduced in the event of a flight attempt.

A second company, HyImpulse Technologies GmbH (HyImpulse), plans the second flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle from Shetland this year.

The German firm recently secured investment of more than €50m (£43m).

Original source UK and German governments plan to use Shetland spaceport

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