The future rocket launch site SaxaVord got his approval to start construction. It will host several launch pads for start-ups operating micro-rockets from the end of 2022, according to the schedule.
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[EN VIDÉO] New Space: who are these new space players? In recent years, the conquest of space has taken a new turn. Formerly reserved for official institutions, such as NASA or the European Space Agency (Esa), new companies, mostly American, are starting to come out on top. Cnes tells us more during this short video.
Northern Europe brings together several spaceport projects that can accommodate flights of small launchers orbitals. There are some in Norway (Andoya Space Center), in Sweden (Esrange Space Centerin Kiruna), one in Scotland, in the Highlands (Sutherland Spaceport), and finally SaxaVord in the Shetland Islands. The latter will be installed on Unst Island, in a former Royal Air Force base which housed a radar.
On February 28, the Shetland Islands Council gave his consent to start construction. However, Scottish ministers may still decide to suspend it by the end of the month, but that remains unlikely.
The spaceport will make it possible to carry out shots destined for polar orbit, and more precisely for heliosynchronous orbit (SSO). The latter has a plane that always keeps the same inclination with respect to the Sun. This allows the satellite who uses it, to pass over a specific point on Earth at the same solar time. This type of orbit is highly sought after for terrestrial imaging satellites and is easier to access from high latitudes.
Small rockets including a French one
SaxaVord will host several start-up launches from New Space. There are already locals with Skyrora, a Scottish company which is developing a small reusable launcher and using biofuel. The spaceport will also host a launch pad for a small American rocket called RS1 from the start-up ABL Space Systems, as part of an agreement with the industrial giant Lockheed Martin.
The latest arrival is the French start-up Venture Orbital Systems, based in Reims. It will probably be the first company to carry out an orbital flight with the very first 100% private French rocket, named Zéphyr. For now, the micro-launcher is under development. Zéphyr will be 15 meters high and capable of carrying up to 80 kilos of payload in low orbit. Venture Orbital has announced that its inaugural launch will take place at SaxaVord in 2024 and plans to carry out around fifteen launches from 2026.
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