THE Highlands and Islands Enterprise has said that it is ‘deeply disappointed’ at the news that Orbex is to pause construction of its spaceport in Sutherland.
The Moray-headquartered aerospace firm signed a lease with HIE for the community-owned site in Sutherland in 2022, with plans to build the spaceport and launch up to 12 orbital rockets per year from it.
However, Orbex said it now intends to launch its first rockets from its SaxaVord site in Unst, in a decision which it said will enable it to direct more funding to the development of a new, medium-sized launch vehicle called Proxima.
Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said, “Orbex is first and foremost a launch services specialist. Our primary goal is to support the European space industry by achieving a sustainable series of satellite launches into low Earth orbit. This is best achieved by focusing our resources and talents on developing launch vehicles and associated launch services.
“This decision will help us to reach first launch in 2025 and provides SaxaVord with another customer to further strengthen its commercial proposition. It’s a win-win for UK and Scottish space.”
Orbex added that it will retain its lease to build and operate its own spaceport at Sutherland in order to give it flexibility to increase launch capacity in the future – adding that this will be kept under continuous review.
Responding to the news, HIE said, “This announcement marks an unexpected change of direction from Orbex.
“It’s important to stress that the company is a very significant player in the UK space sector and a key employer in Moray where it has over 150 skilled jobs at Enterprise Park Forres with plans to expand further.
“It also speaks to the strength of the regional space sector that innovative rockets will be both manufactured and launched into orbit from locations in the Highlands and Islands, and this move will strengthen SaxaVord Spaceport’s commercial proposition.
“What is less clear is the impact that Orbex’s decision will have on Sutherland. When HIE first began implementing plans for a spaceport on the A’ Mhoine peninsula, back in 2018, it was with a clear intention that this would create new economic opportunities for present and future generations.
“We want to send a clear message to local people in north Sutherland that we are deeply disappointed at this turn of events and remain committed to working with them to develop a positive future for Melness and the surrounding area.”
