Construction begins at 'world's first carbon neutral' spaceport

Construction has begun on a spaceport on the northern coast of the British mainland, which plans to host up to 12 rocket launches into space each year.

The Sutherland Spaceport, located on the A'Mhoine peninsula, will be "home" to the rocket company Orbex.

The Forres-based company aims to use the site to launch satellites into orbit to meet global demand for commercial space services.

However a rival spaceport located on Unst - at the very north of the Shetland Isles - hosted a rocket engine test in April.

SaxaVord Spaceport was the test site of a rocket motor made by German company HyImpulse, which hopes to carry out a suborbital launch there later this year.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Sutherland Spaceport was attended by the Scottish Government's Trade Minister Richard Lochhead.

Owners say it will be the first carbon-neutral spaceport in the world, as Orbex's 19-metre long Prime rocket will run on biofuel.

Public bodies have invested £14.6 million in the Sutherland Spaceport.

Mr Lochhead said: "It is an incredibly exciting time for the space sector, with the first orbital launch from UK soil expected to take place in Scotland later this year.

"Despite our relatively small country, Scotland plays a leading role in the space sector and with the global market projected to grow to £490 billion by 2030, we are well placed to become Europe's leading space nation by 2030."

He added: "As I told Parliament last week, the Scottish space sector is opening up new frontiers."

Kristian von Bengtson, interim chief executive of 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 under way, 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."

UK Space Agency Deputy CEO, Ian Annett, says this update demonstrates the UK’s growing launch capability and the thriving space sector in Scotland.

He said: "The UK Space Agency has invested £8.5 million in Scottish-based launch technologies through the European Space Agency's Boost! programme, as well as £2.5 million towards the spaceport and £5.5 million for the development of Orbex’s Prime rocket, which has catalysed further investment from private and public partners.

“Not only will Sutherland Spaceport unlock 250 new job opportunities and boost the Highlands and Islands economy, but its carbon-neutral ambition underlines the UK’s position as a world-leader in sustainable space activities."

David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: "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.

"We are very pleased to have developed this important and innovative project through its initial phases and greatly appreciate the contributions made by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and UK Space Agency.

"This has been a truly collaborative process and we are delighted to be working with Orbex to make Sutherland Spaceport a reality."

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