SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, Shetland, has secured £60m in funding as it prepares to become a major hub for UK and European rocket launches. The funding includes £30m from the UK government, matched by private investors.
Previously known as the Shetland Space Centre, SaxaVord is the UK's first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport. The investment forms part of a wider government strategy to strengthen the UK's space capabilities and support domestic innovation.
SaxaVord targets role in Europe's launch market
Built on the site of a former RAF radar station, SaxaVord aims to support a significant share of future European orbital launches. The spaceport currently has approval for up to 30 launches per year.
According to the company, Shetland's remote location and minimal radio interference make it well suited for launch operations and satellite communications. This enables reliable ground station services for telemetry, command uplink and data downlink.
Ground station services reduce costs
SaxaVord also offers Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS), providing access to UHF, S-band and X-band frequencies, server rack space, power and antenna operations. The model allows customers to use infrastructure without significant upfront capital investment.
The company says its long-term goal is to create a launch base that supports multiple space launch providers.
UK increases investment in space technology
Alongside the SaxaVord funding, the government has committed £148m for rocket development to help secure independent access to space.
The funding will support UK companies working in areas including satellite technology, robotics and in-space refuelling, as well as launch businesses operating in the UK.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds highlighted the importance of space innovation, pointing to projects such as the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Rover and Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, which helped track NASA's Orion crew capsule
The UK has also earmarked £7.8bn for its space ambitions through 2029-30, underlining its commitment to expanding the sector's global role.
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