SaxaVord Spaceport is the UK's first licensed vertical launch spaceport, located in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the UK's end-to-end space capability, facilitating orbital satellite deployment and suborbital missions. SaxaVord partners with launch providers like Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and works with aviation and maritime agencies to ensure safe launch operations.
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Rocket Factory Augsburg delivered the first and second stages of the RFA ONE launch vehicle to SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland in February 2026.
The RFA ONE first stage was newly built and tested in Augsburg, Germany before being delivered to SaxaVord in February 2026.
Rocket Factory Augsburg had planned an RFA ONE launch from SaxaVord in August 2024 but an engine exploded during a hot fire test ahead of that launch.
Rocket Factory Augsburg delivered the first and second stages of the RFA ONE launch vehicle to SaxaVord Space in Scotland.
Nine Helix rocket engines for RFA ONE are being tested in Sweden and will be delivered to SaxaVord on a rolling basis.
The RFA ONE second stage has arrived at SaxaVord Spaceport and is undergoing final checks.
Scotland is home to two spaceport projects, including SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst.
The UK government committed £10 million to SaxaVord Spaceport as part of its Spring Budget in 2024.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is preparing to launch the inaugural flight of its RFA ONE rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport later in 2026.
The Spring Budget 2024 funding for SaxaVord Spaceport supported a goal of becoming the first to launch a satellite into orbit from the European mainland and becoming a leading small satellite launch destination by 2030.
SaxaVord Spaceport features a completed launch pad, infrastructure to support a launch, and a spaceport licence from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority.
Orbex began construction of the Sutherland Spaceport on Scotland's north coast in 2023, paused construction at the end of 2024, and decided to shift its launch operations to SaxaVord in the Shetland Islands.
Rocket Factory Augsburg transported the first stage of its RFA ONE rocket to SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst off the northern coast of Scotland.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is commissioning the SaxaVord launch pad and preparing the RFA ONE upper stage for transport with a launch expected in 2026 but no specific launch date provided.
SaxaVord currently has one completed launch pad with two other pads in various stages of development.
SaxaVord Spaceport is located on the island of Unst off the northern coast of Scotland and is preparing to host launches including a reattempt of Rocket Factory Augsburg’s RFA ONE.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has begun commissioning the launch pad at SaxaVord after repairing and upgrading it following the accident.
On February 10, Rocket Factory Augsburg completed the erection of a new 52-meter-tall umbilical tower at SaxaVord.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is conducting advanced launch preparations at the SaxaVord spaceport on the island of Unst, Scotland.
Installation of water tanks for the deluge system at SaxaVord remains to be completed to mitigate acoustic and thermal loads during launch.