Skyrora has become the first UK-based manufacturer to receive a launch licence for a commercial vehicle, marking a major milestone for sovereign British space access.
Granted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the licence enables Skyrora to launch its suborbital Skylark L rocket from a UK site, advancing the nation’s ambitions for end-to-end launch capability from British soil.
The licence is a significant step forward in delivering the UK’s National Space Strategy, allowing Skyrora to offer sovereign launch services tailored to government and commercial requirements. It strengthens Britain’s ability to access space independently, supporting strategic objectives in both commercial enterprise and national defence.
Volodymyr Levykin, CEO of Skyrora, hailed the licence as a testament to the team’s dedication. “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 UK 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.
“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.”
Scottish Government Business Minister Richard Lochhead MSP described the announcement as a landmark moment. “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-headquartered company launching a rocket into space from a Scottish spaceport.”
The Skylark L vehicle itself has undergone rigorous development, informed by lessons learned from a 2022 suborbital launch from Iceland. Although that mission didn’t achieve full success, it provided vital real-world data on vehicle performance, logistics, and recovery, offering a solid foundation for system improvements. Standing 11 metres tall and capable of carrying 50 kilograms beyond the Kármán line, Skylark L is powered by a clean-burning 30kN bipropellant engine and incorporates 3D-printed components manufactured in the UK. Originally developed to validate subsystems for the company’s larger Skyrora XL rocket, Skylark L has also opened new avenues for cost-effective microgravity research.
With the licence now secured, Skyrora is preparing for a UK-based Skylark L launch and is working closely with regulators, spaceports, and partners to establish regular launch operations from British soil. The company’s activities, rooted in Scotland, contribute to regional economic growth and innovation while reinforcing the UK’s expanding role in the global space economy.
This achievement cements Skyrora’s position as a leader in sovereign launch capability and a trusted partner in delivering agile, environmentally responsible access to space.
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