UK-based space company Skyrora is looking set to become the first British company to launch satellites from Europe following the receipt of £3 million (€3.5 million) in European Space Agency (ESA) funding.
Skyrora
Source: Skyrora
Part of the ESA's Boost! programme, the funding will be used by the Edinburgh company to complete the development of technology to deliver orbital launches using its XL launch vehicle.
The 56 tonne, 23-metre Skyrora XL is capable of delivering a payload of up to 315kg into orbit and is scheduled to be test-launched from a UK spaceport in 2022.
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"We draw huge inspiration from the British engineers who led the way on the Black Arrow programme, and we are thrilled to be advancing their pioneering work at Skyrora for the benefit of the UK," said Dr Jack-James Marlow, head of engineering for Skyrora.
The project looks set to create as many as 170 jobs in the UK and to deliver a more environmentally-friendly launch with Skyrora's eco-fuel, Ecosene.
Skyrora is also believed to have conducted several trials of its Space Tug - a solution for clearing space debris and defunct satellites from orbit.
Volodymyr Levykin, founder and CEO of Skyrora, said: “I am delighted that the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency support our programme, which has, to date, delivered outstanding achievements: four successful launches, with two more ready for launch; the establishment of manufacturing and engine test facilities throughout Scotland; and the static fire test of our orbital third stage.
“ESA’s funding will allow us to complete the set-up of our larger Engine Test Complex, complete our 70kN engine programme and static fire test-fire the first and second stages of Skyrora XL.”
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“This is great news for Skyrora as it takes another major step in bringing green small satellite launch capability to Scotland,” added Ivan McKee MSP, trade and innovation minister.
“Our aim for Scotland is to secure a slice of the $400 billion (€339.4 billion) global space market by 2030, remaining committed to our climate change targets and becoming a net-zero society by 2045.”
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