Located on the North coast of Scotland — specifically, on Sutherland’s A’ Mhòine peninsula — the spaceport is set to be used by Orbex to launch up to 12 orbital rockets per year, deploying satellites into Earth’s orbit.

Orbex, the Scottish rocket and launch services company based in Forres, signed a 50-year lease at the tail-end of last year to develop and operate Sutherland Spaceport, which will become the firm’s “home” spaceport.

To mark the start of construction, a ceremony was attended by a number of officials and stakeholders, including Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Small Business, Innovation, and Trade, Ian Annett, the Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, and David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

In preparation for the spaceport’s first launch, Orbex is trialling numerous launch procedures and performing a variety of integration tests.

The Orbex Prime — the firm’s flagship rocket — was revealed last year. Prime is a 19-metre long, two-stage rocket designed to transport and release small satellites weighing up to 180kg.

When launched, six engines will propel the rocket through the atmosphere. The single engine on the second stage of the rocket will then complete the journey to Low Earth Orbit, allowing for a payload of small commercial satellites to be released into Earth’s orbit.

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On the announcement of Sutherland Spaceport’s construction, Kristian von Bengtson, the Chief Development Officer and Interim CEO at Orbex, said: “With the construction of Sutherland Spaceport underway, this is an important piece of the puzzle that will make the UK a modern space nation.

“Just as importantly, we’re hopefully also setting the tone for how business can be a force for good, creating jobs and opportunities while minimising the impact upon the environment.”

Minister Richard Lochhead also commented, saying: “It is an incredibly exciting time for the space sector, with the first orbital launch from UK soil expected to take place in Scotland later this year.

“Despite our relatively small country, Scotland plays a leading role in the space sector and with the global market projected to grow to £490 billion by 2030, we are well placed to become Europe’s leading space nation by 2030.

“The space sector already plays an integral part of our daily lives, allowing us to stay connected, predict weather and monitor the effects of climate change. Sutherland Spaceport and Orbex will play a vital role in providing benefits for our people, our economy, and our planet.

“I was delighted to be able to visit Sutherland Spaceport for this important milestone. As I told Parliament last week, the Scottish space sector is opening up new frontiers.”

David Oxley at HIE commented further: “The start of construction at Sutherland Spaceport is an important milestone for the local community and the UK space sector.

“This has been a truly collaborative process and we are delighted to be working with Orbex to make Sutherland Spaceport a reality.”