SKYRORA - UK return to Space - This time it's Private

SKYRORA’S RESPONSE TO THE SKYLARK L ANOMALY

Skyrora recently conducted the first test launch of our suborbital Skylark L vehicle from the northeast of Iceland. After leaving the launch pad, an anomaly cut the vehicle’s maiden flight short, and it landed safely in the Norwegian Sea approximately 500 metres away from the launch site.

Following a thorough investigation into the root cause by our team of specialists, it was concluded that all mechanical systems aboard the vehicle were nominal, and that the anomaly was ultimately caused by a software complication.

The team will use the valuable data collected through the test launch to resolve this issue ahead of future launches. We would like to thank our local partners for their assistance in the recovery operations.
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https://www.skyrora.com/skyroras-response-to-the-skylark-l-anomaly/
 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwdn/the-sky-at-night-the-uk-space-race
The Sky at Night team investigates the incredible science and engineering helping the UK to blast into space. We are now one of the biggest satellite building nations in the world, and the race is on to be the first company to successfully launch a rocket into orbit from British soil.

Chris visits Skyrora, a rocket company near Glasgow, to find out how rockets are built and why launches so often go wrong. Skyrora are planning their first orbital launch later this year; Chris learns how each stage of their rocket is designed for a successful lift-off.
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For those outside the UK this tweet has some of the footage:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1667169950321000450
View: https://twitter.com/BBCStargazing/status/1667169950321000450?cxt=HHwWhIC20ZOP_aIuAAAA
 
Skyrora gets UK launch license as first flight likely slips to 2026 https://spacenews.com/skyrora-gets-uk-launch-license-as-first-flight-likely-slips-to-2026/
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1952505201685864710
View: https://x.com/SpaceNews_Inc/status/1952505201685864710


ARTICLE

Summary:

Skyrora, a Scottish-based rocket company, has been granted a launch license by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), making it the first UK company to receive such an authorization. This license permits Skyrora to conduct up to 16 launches per year from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland.

While this is a major milestone for the company, its first flight is likely to be delayed until 2026. The company's smaller, suborbital Skylark L rocket is technically ready to fly, but a lack of available launch pads at SaxaVord this year is preventing an earlier launch. Skyrora is currently exploring other options, including using a mobile launch platform, to get its rockets to space.

The company's ultimate goal is to launch its larger Skyrora XL rocket, designed for placing small satellites into orbit. The first stage of the Skyrora XL, which will be powered by nine engines, is expected to undergo its first test-firing this year.

Notable Quote

“The launch license process took longer than anticipated, but we understand that this is an industry-first for all parties involved,” Thompson said.

“It is more important to get things right rather than do them quickly.”
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BBC News Article:

Rob Bishton, the chief executive of the CAA, said: "Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora, its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation.
"Our work as the UK's space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it."
Skyrora chief executive Volodymyr Levykin said the journey to getting the license was a "long but ultimately rewarding one".
He added: "Becoming the first homegrown company in the UK to receive a vertical launch operator licence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora.
"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.
"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."
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3r4n7qd5yzo.amp
 
Haven’t seen this particular issue mentioned in the other articles.

Modifications being made to the SaxaVord spaceport mean it may not be ready to accommodate a launch until 2026.

Skyrora told Sky News that if there are significant delays to its plans to launch from SaxaVord, it may look into transferring its CAA licence to Australia's regulator.

If so, it expects it could launch SkylarkL from Australia's Woomera test range before the end of 2025.

No doubt that would be a disappointment for the UK government and thousands of space enthusiasts in the UK, but it would see history repeat itself.

The first (and last) British-built rocket to put a satellite into orbit, Black Arrow, launched from Woomera in 1971.
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https://news.sky.com/story/flatplan-13407089
 
Looking forward to the first launch Michel Van, I am really excited about it, and wish Skyrora good luck for the future.
 
NSF - NASASpaceflight.com@NASASpaceflight
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Edinburgh-based Skyrora was granted its Spaceflight Operator Licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on August 5 — the first vertical launch license awarded to a British company to launch from the UK.

NSF spoke with Skyrora’s Head of Business, Derek Harris, to discuss the upcoming launch of its Skylark L suborbital vehicle and the progress already being made towards its Skyrora XL orbital launcher.
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NSF Article By Martin Smith (@MartiniumSpace).

https://nasaspaceflight.com/2025/08/skyrora-efis/
 

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