Scotland’s space race just got a fiery twist.
Skyrora, the Glasgow-based rocket startup, has officially bagged the UK’s first-ever vertical space launch license from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). That means they’re now legally cleared to fire rockets straight into space from the SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.
Sounds like a green light for blast-off, right?
Not quite.
Here’s the kicker: Skyrora has nowhere to launch from—because all the available launch slots for 2025 have already been snapped up by their rival, Orbex.
Skyrora’s Space Dreams (And Setbacks)
Skyrora’s main rocket for now is called Skylark L. It’s a sleek 11-meter suborbital launcher designed to carry small payloads (about 50 kg) into space, primarily for test flights. Think of it as the warm-up act before their real headliner, the Skyrora XL, takes the orbital stage in a couple of years.
The CAA license is a huge win—it proves Skyrora meets all the safety and regulatory hoops for launching from UK soil. They’re the first UK firm to secure a vertical launch license, beating rivals on paper.
But paper victories don’t fly rockets.
The SaxaVord Spaceport’s launch pads are fully booked for 2025, mainly by Danish-Scottish rival Orbex, who swooped in earlier with pre-arranged deals. It’s like being told you can throw the first pitch at a game, only to find out someone else rented the entire field for the season.
What’s Next for Skyrora?
With no Shetland launchpad available, Skyrora is eyeing backup sites abroad:
- Australia
- Oman
- Norway
If they can’t find an alternative fast, their first UK launch may slip into 2026. Meanwhile, their orbital rocket, Skyrora XL, is still scheduled for a 2027 debut, assuming everything stays on track.
The Rivalry with Orbex (And RFA)
While Skyrora is facing pad problems, Orbex—the UK’s other homegrown rocket company—has locked in spaceport access and aims to launch their Orbex Prime vehicle in 2026.
But the bigger picture is this: Europe’s small satellite launch market is heating up, and with other players like Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) entering the fray, there’s only so much launchpad real estate to go around.
The UK government’s push for a “sovereign launch capability” means someone will eventually get to plant the British flag on the first homegrown orbital launch—but right now, Skyrora’s caught in a cosmic traffic jam.
Why This Matters
- The UK is racing to join the global space launch club, alongside the US, Russia, China, and India.
- Skyrora’s licensing win shows Britain has the talent and technology—but lacks launchpad capacity.
- SaxaVord’s full schedule is a sign that demand for small satellite launches is exploding in Europe.
- For Skyrora, it’s a case of “so close, yet so far”—they’re now pushing to prove their rockets abroad before a UK homecoming.
Quick Recap:
| 📝 | 📊 |
|---|---|
| Company | Skyrora (Glasgow-based rocket startup) |
| Rocket | Skylark L (suborbital, 50 kg payload), Skyrora XL (orbital) |
| Milestone | First UK vertical launch license from CAA |
| Problem | No available SaxaVord slots until 2026 |
| Next Moves | Looking for launch sites in Australia, Oman, Norway |
| Rivals | Orbex (UK/Danish), RFA (Germany) |
The Bottom Line:
Skyrora just cleared a massive hurdle by getting its license.
But in the space game, it’s not just about who has the rocket—it’s about who has the launchpad.
Skyrora’s now in a race against time (and rival Orbex) to find somewhere to launch.
2026 could still be their year—but the countdown just got a little longer.