Regulator Grants First Space Launch Licence for a UK-Based Rocket Company

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has granted the first ever vertical launch licence to a UK based company. Skyrora has been licensed to launch and operate its sub-orbital Skylark L vehicle from the CAA licensed spaceport at SaxaVord.

The licensing approval process looked at a number of key factors ranging from safety, international obligations, and environmental mitigations around Skyrora’s planned launches.

The UK’s space regulator will now continue to monitor the company to ensure Skyrora adheres to the terms of its licence and safety is prioritised. This includes in the build-up to, and during launch. Ongoing monitoring is a significant part of the work done by the space regulator, driving high safety standards across the space sector.