SaxaZero
Licensed to launch responsibly, committed to going further
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.
At the tip of the Lamba Ness peninsula on Unst, Shetland – the northernmost point of the UK – SaxaVord Spaceport is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Its remote location ensures the UK’s only licensed vertical orbital spaceport is safe and secure, but it also offers the most direct route to orbit.
Our extraordinary setting also serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility to minimise our environmental impact on earth and in space – a founding commitment that continues to guide SaxaVord today.
On site, our work focuses on embedding environmental safeguards; monitoring wildlife and habitats and safeguarding local heritage. We measure and monitor the carbon emissions of the spaceport and will monitor launches. There will be regular public updates as we learn and improve.
Our Spaceport Licence and Range Control Licence are built on rigorous environmental reports and commitments. An ISO 14001:2015-aligned Environmental Management System (EMS) has been developed, integrating environmental risk management into every part of our operations.
We continuously assess the environmental impact of the Spaceport’s construction and operational work to minimise adverse effects. This includes ongoing monitoring and care of coastal grassland, peat and riparian habitats, with measures for priority birds and mammals in place across our launch site. Our annual surveys show that no breeding disturbance has been detected during construction.
From first launch, we will work with launch operators to track returning components and record jettisoned material entering the marine environment.
We will capture emissions data per launch and calculate CO₂e using the methodology agreed with the CAA.
In 2025, SaxaVord conducted its first carbon inventory for Financial Year 2024. Covering Scope 1-3, we now know the carbon footprint of an operational spaceport as it grows. Working with these findings we are developing a Carbon Reduction Plan.
Beyond the launch site, decarbonisation initiatives are already in place. Our ground stations draw a share of their energy from rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems of 15 kWp and 16 kWp. Heat pumps are being rolled out across our accommodation and power parts of the integration hangar too.
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.
Earth Observation from SaxaVord
The type of satellites launched from SaxaVord will be placed into polar orbit. These satellites are often used in Earth Observation – orbiting the Earth’s poles allows them to monitor the planet’s surface consistently over time. This means they gather data that helps the world monitor climate change. Understanding of more than half the UN’s 55 Essential Climate Variables (ECV) comes from satellite data.
This data supports sustainability initiatives and is already used around the world to help organisations understand their impact.
Launch service providers at SaxaVord have developed more efficient engine systems and are exploring the reusability of their rockets. Working on an island, the Spaceport and its clients repurpose existing infrastructure which also lessens our impact.
SaxaVord will support the European Space Agency in gathering data to better analyse the full environmental impact of re-entry and launch.
As the spaceport develops, SaxaVord’s SaxaZero unit will support the UK’s space sector in the understanding of its impact, and how earth observation can help too.
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...