UK Space Tech Company Skyrora Secures UK Launch Licence

This approval clears the path for Skyrora to launch its SkyLark L suborbital rocket from UK soil making it the first British company to both build and launch a rocket into space domestically.

It’s a key milestone in advancing the UK’s independent launch capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign spaceports.

“Becoming the first homegrown company in the UK to receive a launch operator licence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora” said Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin.

“It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities. Not only to unlock commercial activity for companies that need to access space and to help achieve the government’s objectives for becoming a global player in the space sector, but also from a strategic defence consideration.

“Skyrora is proud to be leading efforts that enable launch activity from the UK and we look forward to achieving a reliable commercial launch programme that benefits us all.”

The licence enables Skyrora to launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, the UK’s licensed spaceport. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SaxaVord in 2021, targeting up to 16 launches per year by 2030. Skyrora’s fully UK-built Skylark L suborbital rocket is now prepared for liftoff.

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Skylark L stands 11 metres tall and can carry a 50 kg payload beyond the Kármán line—the boundary of space. Built in the UK with 3D-printed parts, it’s powered by a clean-burning 30 kN bipropellant engine and can reach speeds up to 3.5 times the speed of sound.

Initially developed for subsystem testing ahead of Skyrora XL, the completed prototype has opened a new commercial path, providing a cost-effective solution for microgravity experiments without requiring an orbital launch.

Rob Bishton, CEO of the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora, its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation. Our work as the UK’s space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it.

About Skyrora

Skyrora is a UK-based launch provider developing orbital and suborbital rockets to enable flexible, sovereign launch capabilities. Using a step-by-step approach and advanced manufacturing, Skyrora has built four suborbital rockets and is developing the three-stage Skyrora XL to place satellites of up to 315 kg into low Earth orbit.