At the northernmost tip of the UK, a former RAF base is thought to be weeks away from official recognition, as a spaceport ready to launch satellites into orbit.
SaxaVord spaceport is taking shape on a remote peninsula in Unst in Shetland, with a 12m-high rocket launch stool already in place, as well as hangars and launch pads under construction.
Owner Frank Strang, who along with his wife Debbie and a small team built the privately-funded spaceport, says the first launch will be “two fingers to the people who tried to put us out of business”.
The first lift-off will be a sub-orbital rocket made by German company HyImpulse, currently expected around October this year.
In April 2024, another German firm - Rocket Factory Augsburg - aims to achieve the first-ever orbital satellite launch from European soil after blasting off from a launch pad called Fredo at SaxaVord.
The Strangs and director of operations Scott Hammond showed journalists around the SaxaVord site, a former RAF base for its nearby radar station.
At launch pad Fredo, as well as the giant launch stool, a “deluge” system will spray thousands of litres of water to cool the rocket engine flames, with a vast drainage and storage system below.
Nearby, the integration hangar is being erected, where satellites will be attached to rockets in a sterile environment.
Two other launch pads are under construction, with US company ABL using one called Elizabeth to launch satellites in the UK’s Pathfinder programme.
Frank Strang said the team expect to receive their licence from the Civil Aviation Authority in around eight weeks, meaning they can operate as a commercial spaceport.
So far just under £30m has been spent on the spaceport and its associated accommodation facilities at the ex-RAF base, with just over 80 people employed.
Initially, he told people on Unst he was “not building Cape Canaveral” – explaining to disbelieving locals that it would be for smaller commercial rockets.
However, he now hopes to build a total of five launch pads, with the site able to take rockets up to 35 metres long.
The SaxaVord team say that Highlands and Islands Enterprise has provided unfair “state aid” to their competitor spaceport in Sutherland on the A’Mhoine peninsula, as well as trying to undermine their efforts.
The development agency has said it is in regular contact with SaxaVord and will “always respond” when issues are raised.
The Strangs took over the site in 2004, initially developing it as a nature resort. They are both former RAF personnel.
Debbie Strang said the process of turning it into a spaceport had not been easy, stating: “That’s been really difficult, not having the recognition, and having those from the agencies and the public sector who you thought were there to support you, actively working against you.”
The first launch will be “very emotional”, she added.
A new hotel and visitor centre are also planned for the island of Unst, as part of the work to build the spaceport.
The team behind SaxaVord spaceport hope to build new accommodation near the site, appealing to those keen to see rare birds and wildlife, as well as rocket blast-offs.
The first orbital launches are expected to draw crowds of at least several hundred and a viewing area will be set up across a bay.
Debbie Strang, director of facilities at SaxaVord, said they had carried out a study into how many people would come to Unst for a launch – noting that Cornwall spaceport’s attempted space launch earlier this year drew about 2,000 visitors.
She told journalists: “The research said most people wanted to see the base of the rocket, that was something that came back.
“It’s absolutely going to be an added draw for people who have made the decision to come to Shetland, they will come for longer and they’ll try and see a launch.
“If they’re not here for a launch, they will want to come to the site – and they’ll want to understand what space is all about, not just Saxa’s role in that.
“They’ll want some sort of visitor centre and education to understand more about space, so that will be built into the hotel and the plans for that.”
As well as a hotel of around 250 beds, they also hope to reuse a nearby airstrip as a private airstrip. The island is currently accessed by ferry from other parts of Shetland.
The spaceport team stressed the need to manage visitors’ expectations around any rocket launches, which can often be delayed or called off.
Commercial rockets from start-up companies also have a high failure rate, as many are new designs which have not flown before.
A planning application has been drawn up and is being submitted to Shetland Islands Council.
The site is near Hermaness nature reserve, which has clifftop views and has a variety of wild birds.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
