Spaceport's 'Floating Road' Nears Completion For Crucial Test Launch

The construction of a unique "floating road" at the Sutherland Spaceport is nearing completion, paving the way for a crucial test launch of the Orbex Prime rocket. The innovative road, designed to traverse a sensitive peat bog without causing significant environmental damage, is a key element of the spaceport's infrastructure.

The floating road consists of a series of modular platforms that distribute the weight of vehicles evenly across the soft ground. This design prevents the road from sinking into the peat bog, preserving the delicate ecosystem. The construction of the road has been a complex engineering feat, requiring careful planning and coordination with environmental experts.

Lesley Still, chief of spaceport operations, said they hope to carry out a test launch next year and excitement is building within the team. She said: “No race for us, I think we’ll be ready when we’re ready. If that happens to be first, then great – but it is not something that we’re striving for. Rushing doesn’t help.We’re the only company that owns both a spaceport and the launch vehicle, we need all the capacity that we have here for our own business. We’re not concerned about competition out there – there’s a huge market. We wish the others well.”

The successful completion of the floating road is a major milestone for the Sutherland Spaceport project. It demonstrates the commitment of the developers to minimizing the environmental impact of the spaceport while ensuring the safety and efficiency of launch operations.

The test launch of the Orbex Prime rocket is scheduled for [date]. The rocket, which is designed to carry small satellites into orbit, will be launched from the spaceport's launch pad, located adjacent to the floating road.

As well as being the first spaceport in the UK capable of vertical rocket launches to gain full planning permission, it is also unique in other ways. It is the only spaceport in the world to be designed to be carbon neutral in terms of construction and operation, so it’s the perfect partner for the world’s most environmentally friendly space rocket.

The launch site is made up of 4 interconnected locations to suit customer needs and requirements:

• Launch Operation Control Centre (LOCC)
• Antenna Park
• Launch Site Integration Facility (LSIF)
• Launch Pad

The successful launch of the Prime rocket will be a significant achievement for the UK space industry, marking the country's first-ever orbital launch. It will also validate the innovative technologies developed for the Sutherland Spaceport, including the floating road.