The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted the first ever vertical launch licence for a rocket heading to space from UK soil. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) plans to launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.
The licensing process looked at a number of key factors. This included how safety is maintained, international obligations are met and environmental mitigations are made for RFA’s proposed mission.
The approved launch will see a 30m tall RFA ONE rocket launch northwards from the coast of the Shetland Islands.
SaxaVord Spaceport became the UK’s first licenced vertical launch spaceport last December, and received a range control licence in April 2024. Since then the CAA has been involved in an extensive programme of monitoring the site.
The licence comes with a number of conditions that will need to be met before launch including ensuring that international agreements with other countries are in place and that they have valid insurance. Now RFA has received a launch licence the CAA will continue to monitor the company to ensure public safety is maintained in the build-up to, and during launch.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane said the deal “moves the dial one step closer towards the first commercial vertical space launch in the United Kingdom”.
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Civil Aviation Authority – United Kingdom
Image: RFA
