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 concerns, a limited number of viewer passes for an authorised viewing area will be made available.
These will initially be offered to people living in Unst, where the spaceport is located, and any not taken up will be offered to people from outside the island.
Test flights and launches will be livestreamed, enabling people everywhere with a broadband connection to view them.
Well in advance of any proposed test flight, in line with space industry practice worldwide, a launch window will be identified and publicised.
This is likely to last several weeks, however to minimise disruption, over that timespan launches will only be able to take place on specified days, and during specified hours within those days. At least 24 hours’ notice will be given of a planned launch.
On launch days a strict, defined exclusion zone will be in force, along with a series of road closures. Passholders will be required to comply with local arrangements to reach the viewing area.
There will also be a small maritime exclusion zone to the north of Unst which vessels will have to vacate when rocket flights are due, and a much larger warning zone stretching up to the Jan Mayen islands. Vessels will be heavily encouraged to vacate this warning area and will be notified via radio that a launch is due. Air traffic will be re-routed.
All maritime and airspace users will be notified by the relevant authorities.
SaxaVord Spaceport CEO Scott Hammond, who last night provided an update to Unst Community Council, said: “We expect to see a test flight by our client RFA this summer, although the final timings are still being negotiated with all the relevant authorities.
“Clearly, this is hugely exciting and testament to all the hard work done by RFA and by our team here at SaxaVord.
“It is important to us that Unst residents have first refusal on the limited number of viewing spaces that will be available given that they have been most impacted by the building of the spaceport and will be most affected on launch days.
“Due to the fact that this will be a test flight and the length of the launch window, if you live outwith Shetland I would recommend that you watch it on the livestream rather than bear the cost and time involved with travelling here only to be disappointed.”
Unst is a small island (pop. 600) with a network of mainly single track roads and very few accommodation options.
Ferry places into Unst are also at a premium during much of the year, and getting to and from the Shetland mainland via ferry from Aberdeen or air from various airports can be a challenge.
More precise and detailed information on launches will be published when specific launch windows are announced by SaxaVord and its clients.