The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted Saxaward the first vertical launch spaceport license in the United Kingdom and Western Europe. This facility is situated on Unst, the northernmost island in the Shetland Islands group. The licensing decision was communicated through an official CAA statement.
Saxaward underwent a detailed regulatory assessment to verify that it satisfied safety and environmental standards and possessed the required infrastructure and equipment for space launches. The permit authorizes up to 30 launches each year, reflecting a measured approach to expanding capabilities in the UK space sector.
Because of its remote location far from densely populated areas, Saxaward enables rockets to be launched on near-optimal trajectories with fewer midcourse adjustments to avoid populated zones. This setup also supports higher payload allocations for orbital missions, potentially increasing overall launch capacity and mission efficiency.
Historically, Unst, a community home to roughly six hundred fifty residents, hosted a Royal Air Force base for a period and, long before that, was one of the earliest Viking outposts encountered in the North Atlantic.
Local observers and regional commentators have suggested that the space initiative could help revitalize the islands and prevent depopulation driven by limited employment opportunities and living conditions, a point highlighted in reporting by the Guardian.
Plans for the first launch from what is now Saxaward have been part of broader UK space ambitions, with initial projections pointing to a 2024 debut. Since then, timelines have evolved as regulatory, technical, and logistical realities shaped the schedule.
Separately, Ireland has recently marked a milestone in space history by advancing its own capabilities to place satellites into orbit, signaling a growing regional momentum in space activities across the British Isles.