UK's first orbital rocket launch could take place in October in Scotland

Announcement comes after Spaceport Cornwall tried a horizontal satellite launch in January

A computer-generated image from SaxaVord spaceport of a rocket taking off from Unst, in the Shetland Islands. PA

The SaxaVord spaceport on Scotland's Shetland Islands will host the UK’s first orbital rocket launch in October or November this year, officials have said.

Based on the northern tip of the Shetland Islands, the spaceport is preparing to host the first vertical launch of satellites from UK soil.

The announcement comes after Spaceport Cornwall tried a horizontal satellite launch earlier in January.

The rocket left the wing of Virgin Orbit’s 747 jet but it failed to deliver its payload to orbit because of an “anomaly” in the second stage.

Scott Hammond, director of operations at SaxaVord, acknowledged that there was often uncertainty around timetables for private space launches.

But Mr Hammond said a recent agreement with a German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg, would see them begin testing their engines in the summer before a launch later in the year.

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  Cosmic Girl, carrying the LauncherOne rocket under its left wing, on the runway in Cornwall. Getty

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  The modified Boeing plane takes off from Spaceport Cornwall. PA

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  It flew to an altitude of 10,600km over the Atlantic, where it jettisoned the rocket containing nine small satellites. PA

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  A model of Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne at Spaceport Cornwall. Reuters

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  Spectators gather in Cornwall to watch the launch. Reuters

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  Spaceport Cornwall merchandise for sale prior. Reuters

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  The team hopes to try again within the next 12 months. Getty

“Probably in July, we’re going to start full-stage testing. That will be the full, first stage, nine engines all firing for about three minutes," he said.

“So that’ll be really, really impressive. I expect about four months or so of that depending on success.

“And then we’re looking with Rocket Factory to launch towards the end of the year, for the orbital launch.”

Mr Hammond said he expected many spectators for the first launch.

“It’s incredible how this industry excites people,” he said.

Other space companies have indicated that they will use SaxaVord as a base for satellite launches or engine testing.

Another German company, HyImpulse Technologies, is expected to launch a suborbital rocket in August this year, Mr Hammond said.

Meanwhile, US company ABL has been contracted to carry out the launch of the UK’s Pathfinder mission, using another launching pad at the Scottish spaceport.

Virgin Orbit Cosmic Girl – in pictures

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  The Virgin Orbit Cosmic Girl – a modified Boeing plane carrying a LauncherOne rocket under its wing – is prepared for launch at Mojave Air and Space Port, California in 2021. All photos: AFP

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  A photographer takes pictures of Cosmic Girl as it takes off from Mojave

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  The LauncherOne rocket, which will release from the wing of the Boeing 747 before ignition, contains small research satellites for Nasa's Educational Launch of Nanosatellites 20 mission

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  A shot of the Virgin Orbit Cosmic Girl from below

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  Cosmic Girl releases a rocket in mid-air when the plane reaches a target altitude

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  The aircraft returns to the runway and the rocket carries the satellite payloads into low-Earth orbit

On the northerly tip of Unst on land that used to be part of an RAF base, the site is well positioned for launches to polar orbit.

SaxaVord is not the only site in Scotland aiming to host orbital rocket launches. Space Hub Sutherland is building its own complex on the A’Mhoine Peninsula.

Mr Hammond was critical of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s involvement in the Sutherland site, saying it was unfair “state aid” to a competitor.

HIE has provided funding for the spaceport and leases it out to a private operator.

“State aid should only be in if there’s market failure. There is no market failure because we’re a private spaceport," Mr Hammond said.

“Don’t put public money where it’s not needed."

A spokesman for HIE said: “As the region’s economic development agency, HIE recognises the potential of the space sector to create jobs and growth across the Highlands and Islands.

“We are in regular contact with SaxaVord Spaceport and will always respond if and when issues are raised or information is requested.”