Blast off! UK rockets could launch from British spaceport NEXT YEAR after breakthrough
THE first space flights to blast off from UK soil in 50 years could do so in Scotland next year after successful tests by rocket manufacturer Skyrora in a massive step forward for the UK space industry.
Skyora complete ground fire test for new Skylark-L rocket
Skyrora's combined achievement - building a a mobile launch complex and completing a full static fire test with the Skylark-L rocket on it at the mobile launch complex at Kildemorie Estate in North Scotland - also marked the first vertical static fire test of such magnitude in the UK since the Black Arrow Programme, half a century ago. The breakthrough brings the prospect of a British space age tantalisingly close, said Skyrora's Dr Jack-James Marlow, who oversaw the operation.
The Skylark-L is ready for launch in 2021
He told Express.co.uk: "The Skylark-L is ready for launch in 2021.
"To allow us to launch Skylark-L from a UK Spaceport, the Spaceflight legislation act needs to come into place first.
"The UK Space Agency expects to see movement on this Act in 2021."
He added: "With the Skylark-L we can start launching sub-orbital missions.
"Skyrora has already interests from both research organisations and commercial businesses.
"This would be followed by our Skyrora XL, capable of launching up to 315kg of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO)."
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The rockets would offer the producers of small satellites a cheap, quick way of getting their equipment into orbit, Mr Marlow said.
The achievement is all the more impressive against the backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, he stressed.
He explained: "With the team sticking to government regulations, we still managed to build a mobile launch complex and complete a full static fire test on our second largest vehicle in our rocket family in the short time of five days.
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"This shows Skyrora wanting to continue operations where we can, as safely as possible, and while still adhering to Government guidelines and restrictions.
"Skyrora’s plans are to launch Skylark-L by Spring 2021 and our orbital vehicle Skyrora XL by 2023.
"The current global pandemic is extremely tragic; at Skyrora we have adapted to keeping the business going forward while working from home and adhering to Government restrictions.
"Since the pandemic, we have refocused some of our operations to manufacture hand gel and face shields.
"We can 3D-print up to 100 face shields and manufacture 1000 litres of hand gel weekly.
"We are providing this to those who are in need while prioritising the NHS and care homes."
Skyrora's chief executive officer, Volodymyr Levykin added: "We see this as being the first significant step towards reaching space from our own soil and are very proud to have taken that step as part of the UK's Space ambitions.
"We are now in a full state of readiness for launch. It is this milestone that is the start of the UK’s new space revolution, a fantastic example of the potential of what the UK Space holds for future.
"With the expertise in place and all the necessary hardware at the ready, we are poised to take the next steps in making the UK a serious leader in the space business once again."