Skyrora has become the first UK-based manufacturer to receive a space launch licence for a suborbital vehicle. Granted by the
UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the licence allows Skyrora to launch its Skylark L rocket from a UK location — a major step toward end-to-end launch capability from British soil.
The licence marks a key advancement in the UK’s National Space Strategy. With it, Skyrora can offer sovereign launch services tailored to the Government and commercial needs, strengthening Britain’s ability to access space independently.
Skyrora’s CEO Volodymyr Levykin said: “Becoming the first homegrown company in the UK to receive a launch operator licence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora. We are pleased to be able to move forward with our launch plans. Given that operators like us, alongside the CAA, have been forging a new path, the journey to getting our licence has been a long but ultimately rewarding one. Safety is paramount to us, and so we are grateful to the CAA for its diligence in ensuring any launch activity is held to the highest of standards.”
He continued "It is essential that the UK has sovereign launch capabilities. Not only to unlock commercial activity for companies that need to access space and to help achieve the Government’s objectives for becoming a global player in the space sector, but also from a strategic defence consideration. Skyrora is proud to be leading efforts that enable launch activity from the UK and we look forward to achieving a reliable commercial launch programme that benefits us all.”
Landmark momentThe Scottish government’s Business Minister Richard Lochhead MSP said: “Securing the UK’s first launch operator licence is a landmark moment in Skyrora’s plans to become the first company in the UK to build and launch a rocket into space. It is also a significant milestone and a hugely exciting development for the space sector in Scotland, with Skyrora’s partnership with Saxavord Spaceport in Shetland meaning we move a step closer to the prospect of a Scottish company launching a rocket into space from a Scottish spaceport.”
Although the 2022 Skylark L launch from Iceland didn’t achieve full mission success, it offered essential real-world data and a solid foundation for system improvements. The campaign deepened Skyrora’s insight into vehicle performance, logistics, and recovery — valuable steps on the path toward orbital launch with Skyrora XL.
Standing 11m tall and capable of carrying 50kg beyond the Kármán line, Skylark L is powered by a clean-burning 30kN bipropellant engine and built with 3-D printed components in the UK. Initially developed to validate sub-systems ahead of Skyrora XL, the prototype has also opened doors to microgravity research at a lower cost than orbital alternatives.
With its licence secured, Skyrora is preparing for a UK-based Skylark L launch and continues to work closely with regulators, spaceports, and partners to establish regular launch activity from British soil. The company’s operations — rooted in Scotland — contribute to regional growth, innovation, and the UK’s expanding role in the global space economy. This achievement reinforces Skyrora’s position as a leader in sovereign launch capability and a trusted partner in delivering agile, environmentally responsible access to space.