CONSTRUCTION is underway in Sutherland on the build of the UK mainland’s first vertical launch spaceport.
The spaceport will be the home spaceport of Forres-based space firm, Orbex, which will launch up to 12 orbital rockets per year from the site for the deployment of satellites into Earth’s orbit.
Jacobs has been contracted for the construction of the site as well as spaceport operation support, operations consultancy, and engineering services.
Obrex said the firm will draw on its experience of managing and operating complex, high-regulated nuclear and space-related sites – with it having supported NASA across multiple high-profile space centres and spaceflight programmes, including management of operations at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
In addition to the short-term contracts for local businesses and contractors that will result from construction, Orbex said it will be recruiting for skilled local jobs to support the operation of the spaceport. The types of roles will span areas including facilities and operational management, security, general administration and finance, stakeholder engagement, and launch campaign-related roles. Employment opportunities will be advertised locally when recruitment commences, it added.
Sutherland Spaceport is intended to become the first carbon-neutral spaceport in the world, both in its construction and operation. One illustration of this is how peat lifted during the construction will be re-used to repair large areas of peatland that have degraded over centuries.
A groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction was attended by a number of officials and stakeholders including Richard Lochhead, Scottish Government minister for Small business, innovation and trade; Ian Annett, deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency; David Oxley, director of strategic projects with Highlands and Islands Enterprise; and Dorothy Pritchard, chair of Melness Crofters Estate as well as many local representatives that have supported the development of the spaceport over the years.
Orbex said the establishment of a commercial spaceport in Sutherland is expected to support around 250 new job opportunities in the Highlands and Islands over the coming years, including 40 in Sutherland and Caithness. Economic impact assessments commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) conclude that the presence of the spaceport has the potential to generate almost £1 billion in gross value added (GVA) for the Highlands and Islands economy over the next 30 years.
It was also confirmed that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will contribute £3 million to support the development of Sutherland Spaceport, completing a public investment package that also includes just over £9 million from HIE and the Scottish Government and £2.55 million that the UK Space Agency announced in 2018. The NDA chose to support Sutherland Spaceport following the decommissioning of the nearby Dounreay nuclear power station, as part of its remit to retire the UK’s oldest nuclear sites while supporting affected communities and the environment.
In May 2022, Orbex revealed its innovative Prime rocket in its final form, the first time a full orbital micro-launcher has been unveiled in Europe. Prime is a 19-metre long, two-stage rocket designed to transport small satellites weighing up to 180kg into Low Earth Orbit. The six rocket engines on the first stage of the rocket will propel the vehicle through the atmosphere to an altitude of around 80km. The single engine on the second stage of the rocket will complete the journey to LEO, allowing the release of its payload of small commercial satellites into Earth’s orbit.
Interest has been received by Orbex from commercial satellite manufacturers and launch contracts have already been signed with seven customers. The company also recently concluded its Series C funding round, netting an additional £40.4 million.
Orbex Prime is powered by a renewable bio-fuel, Futuria Liquid Gas, supplied by Calor UK. This fuel allows the rocket to reduce carbon emissions compared to other similarly sized rockets being developed elsewhere around the world. A study by the University of Exeter showed a single launch of the Orbex Prime rocket will produce 96% lower carbon emissions than comparable space launch systems using fossil fuels. Prime is also a re-usable rocket which has been engineered to leave zero debris on Earth and in orbit.
In preparation for the first launch, Orbex is performing a variety of integration tests, as well as testing launch procedures including rollout, strongback deployment and fuelling procedures.
Kristian von Bengtson, chief development officer and interim CEO at Orbex, said, “Sutherland represents a new breed of spaceport, for a new breed of rocket. This is 21st century, agile spaceflight with sustainability at its core. With the construction of Sutherland Spaceport underway, this is an important piece of the puzzle that will make the UK a modern space nation. Just as importantly, we’re hopefully also setting the tone for how business can be a force for good, creating jobs and opportunities while minimising the impact upon the environment.”
David Oxley, director of strategic partners at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, added, “The start of construction at Sutherland Spaceport is an important milestone for the local community and the UK space sector. The prospect of launch is exciting in itself but for HIE as a development agency, an even greater prize is the economic benefits that this development will bring to our region.”
Andy White, VP of Jacobs, commented, “As an investor in Orbex, Jacobs is deeply committed to supporting this key project which is of immense importance to the UK’s fast growing space sector. We are looking forward to fulfilling our role as prime constructor for the spaceport, including design, procurement and management of the local supply chain, as well as providing operations support and engineering services.”
