THE Shetland Island of Unst could host the first launch of a space rocket from British soil after winning regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) expects to launch the 30m three-stage RFA One this year from the privately owned SaxaVord Spaceport on Britain’s most northerly island.

The CAA’s Rob Bishton said granting the licence “builds towards a historic milestone for the nation.” 

RFA’s Jorn Spurnmann said: “This licence marks Europe’s bold step toward independent, competitive and sustainable space access.

“By enabling cost-effective and flexible launches from European mainland, we are laying the foundation for a new era of space exploration and commercialisation, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of the global space race.”

SNP Business Minister Richard Lochhead called it “momentous,” adding: “I congratulate the SaxaVord team in Shetland and Rocket Factory Augsburg, both of which are now on course to host the first commercial launch of its kind in Europe.

“More broadly I want to pay tribute to Scotland’s space entrepreneurs who have made this country one of Europe’s leading space nations.”