UK Space news
Introduction
Well hey, it's definitely been a while since I’ve seen you! If you haven’t been updated with the United Kingdom in spaceflight, this article is for you. The United Kingdom originally made its Black Arrow rocket for its space program, which was authorised by the British government in 1964. It was intended for British space capability but eventually got cancelled due to it not representing any value for money at the time.
Future, oh, future
The future of UK spaceflight is hopeful; the UK Space Agency is to be worth around 40 billion Great British Pounds, or about 50 billion USD. Multiple UK rocket companies are to launch from the mainland next year from the British Florida, Scotland. Skyrora and Orbex are two of the major upcoming British companies that plan to launch from the biggest spaceport in western Europe, Saxavord on the Shetland Islands.
Medium Launch Vehicle
Recently, Orbex announced that it will be switching to Saxavord spaceport on Shetland from their own in Sutherland, Scotland so that they can work on their newly announced medium launch vehicle, Proxima. No other details have been shown of Proxima now, but by sometime next year they should show the concept.
Sentinel-1C
Credit: UKSA/gov.uk
Sentinel-1C launched on a Vega-C from French Guiana at 9:20 PM GMT on Thursday, 5th December, including UK technology from Airbus UK, Honeywell UK, and Enersys ABSL. The United Kingdom continues to show its strength in the satellite industry and support for its European brothers.
Skylark L
Skylark L on its pad. Credit: SKYRORA
I might have covered this before, but just in case anyone has missed it, Skyrora plans to launch its Skylark L rocket from Saxavord as early as next spring. Skylark L originally launched from Iceland but failed due to software issues; hopefully the second launch can prove it a success; failure always comes before success.
Astroscale servicer
Rendition of the Servicer. Credit: ClearSpace
The servicer, developed by UK subsidiaries ClearSpace and Astroscale, plans to launch in 2026 and has recently got funding from the UK Space Agency worth 2.35 million Great British Pounds for each company. The servicer plans to deorbit UK-licensed satellites, including OneWeb. The servicer is part of the national UK program to remove multiple debris from orbit.
British MOD in talks over reaction engines sad collapse.
The Ministry of Defence is in discussion with the administrators appointed by Reaction Engines Ltd. They said they are, however, commercial in confidence, meaning confidential. Skylon can only really succeed if it's led or funded by its MOD, and this technology is astonishing and can revolutionise space and commercial travel.
Outro
And that, folks, is mainly about it! The UK is definitely getting somewhat big in the space sector; that medium launch vehicle from Orbex is definitely the one I'm looking the most forward to!
See you in the next one.
