Education – inspiring the future
At SaxaVord Spaceport, education isn’t just an add-on – it’s part of who we are.
We believe space should be accessible to everyone, and that starts by making its opportunities real and reachable for young people, no matter where they live.
Whether you’re five or 25, our goal is to spark curiosity and support the journey into a space-enabled future. We’re here to help build a skilled, confident and diverse workforce ready to take on tomorrow’s challenges.
The Fredo Mission Centre
At the heart of our education work is the Fredo Mission Centre — a new digital hub connecting students, teachers and families with space learning in a way that’s engaging, practical and inspiring.
The focus of this project is the real-life jobs and careers that exist at SaxaVord Spaceport and our first series of ‘Fredo’s SaxaVord Adventures’ features many of our staff explaining what their job is and some of the work they get up to each day.
FredoMissionCentre.com brings together everything we offer — including interactive content, educational videos and lesson plans. It’s designed to grow alongside the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers and we aim to increase the amount of content hosted on this platform.
We believe space should be accessible to everyone, and that starts by making its opportunities real and reachable for young people, no matter where they live.
Whether you’re five or 25, our goal is to spark curiosity and support the journey into a space-enabled future. We’re here to help build a skilled, confident and diverse workforce ready to take on tomorrow’s challenges.
The Fredo Mission Centre
At the heart of our education work is the Fredo Mission Centre — a new digital hub connecting students, teachers and families with space learning in a way that’s engaging, practical and inspiring.
The focus of this project is the real-life jobs and careers that exist at SaxaVord Spaceport and our first series of ‘Fredo’s SaxaVord Adventures’ features many of our staff explaining what their job is and some of the work they get up to each day.
FredoMissionCentre.com brings together everything we offer — including interactive content, educational videos and lesson plans. It’s designed to grow alongside the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers and we aim to increase the amount of content hosted on this platform.
Powered by partnerships
Collaboration is key to everything we do. One of our core partners is Shetland Islands Council, with whom we’ve developed the Shetland Space Education, Employment and Skills Pipeline (SSEESP). This initiative is embedding space into the local curriculum, opening up apprenticeship routes and creating real career pathways – from primary school right through to professional roles. The SSEESP group collaborated on the development of an Education Strategy launched in September 2022.
We also work closely with UHI Shetland, Developing the Young Workforce and a wide network of schools, universities and training providers across the UK and beyond to make sure space education is inclusive, hands-on and future-focused.
Global reach, local roots
Creating real opportunities
State-of-the-art facilities
Currently, the site has one operational launch complex, consisting of a launch stool, pad and Integration hangar, where rockets and satellites are integrated. The stool and pad are occupied exclusively by Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA).
A bespoke rocket tracking, telemetry and flight termination system has also been installed on the site.
Two more complexes are under construction, as well as a Mission Management Control Centre to monitor launches.
SaxaVord also provides bespoke facilities for component testing, development and storage.
There is also office space, high-quality accommodation and catering for those close to the launch site.
Once built, the spaceport will support up to 30 launches a year.
Bringing space to life
Thanks to partnerships with content creators like Hi-Impact, we’ve hosted live sessions from Unst, including events with Mike Mongo and Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman.
We’ve also supported major outreach events like an online panel for International Women in Engineering Day, which reached over 118,000 viewers.
The latest news from Launch control
Viewing spaces for SaxaVord test launches to be offered to local people first
Local residents will have first call on viewing spaces for test flights and launches from SaxaVord Spaceport, it was announced today. Due to licensing conditions imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which rightly place health and safety above all other...
SaxaVord strengthens operations with two new senior appointments
SaxaVord Spaceport has bolstered its growing team with two new senior appointments in operations as it prepares for first launch. Ian Palmer has joined as Director of Operations and Nadine Armiger-Drake as Spaceport Operations Manager. Both bring a wealth of skills,...
SaxaVord deputy CEO appointed as new boss
Scott Hammond is the new chief executive of SaxaVord Spaceport, the company announced today following the death of his friend and co-founder Frank Strang. Until now deputy CEO, Scott will take over the running of the company as it prepares to host a first test flight...