HyImpulse To Launch Rockets From SaxaVord Spaceport In Shetland

German rocket company HyImpulse has announced plans to launch rockets from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, Scotland. The company will conduct two sub-orbital launches from August 2024 onwards, followed by orbital launches from late 2025.

The sub-orbital launches will be used to test HyImpulse’s SR75 sounding rocket, which is powered by a hybrid propulsion system that uses paraffin wax and liquid oxygen. The orbital launches will use HyImpulse’s SL1 small launcher, which can carry a payload of up to 500 kilograms into low Earth orbit.

Saxavord Spaceport is a vertical launch spaceport located on the Lamba Ness peninsula on Unst, the northernmost island in the Shetland archipelago. The spaceport is still under development, but it is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

The Hylmpulse mission, spearheaded by a collaboration between Hylmpulse Aerospace and the UK Space Agency, represents a significant milestone in the country's efforts to establish itself as a competitive player in the global space race.

The announcement of the HyImpulse launches is a major boost for SaxaVord Spaceport and the Shetland Islands. It is hoped that the spaceport will create jobs and attract new businesses to the region.

HyImpulse's plans for SaxaVord Spaceport are a significant step forward for the UK's space industry. The company's hybrid propulsion technology is more environmentally friendly than traditional rocket fuels, and it has the potential to make space travel more affordable. The success of HyImpulse's launches from SaxaVord Spaceport could help to establish the UK as a leading player in the global space industry.