“Huge step” for SaxaVord – UK’s first vertical rocket launch finally approved

The go-ahead for first vertical space rocket launch from UK soil has finally been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Published on Thursday, the licence approves Rocket Factory Aubsberg (RFA) to launch 30-metre-tall satellite-bearing rockets from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst.

Issued on Tuesday and published this morning (Thursday), the licence approves Rocket Factory Aubsberg (RFA) to launch 30-metre-tall satellite-bearing rockets from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst.

The licence is effective immediately, but a number of conditions need to be met before a launch can take place — including insurance arrangements and international agreements. The company is also required to give the CAA 60 days’ notice before launching.

RFA, a German start-up told The Shetland Times they plan for their first “test flight” using the licence this year.

The company first applied for a licence last February.

“This is a fantastic, major milestone for us,” Colin Macleod, the CAA’s head of space exploration told a small, online press conference on Wednesday morning. “It’s a huge step.”

The type of rocket which has been licenced to launch from Unst, called an RFA One, is designed to deliver small satellites into space. 

RFA experienced a setback when part of an RFA One caught aflame at SaxaVord during a fire test in August, but in a statement earlier this year the German start-up said it still expects the rocket’s inaugural launch in 2025.

The licence allows for up to ten launches each year, but no more than two a month, nor more than one in any given 24-hour window.

The news was greeted with excitement by politicians and officials. 

The chief executive of SaxaVord said today is a “significant day” for UK aeronautics and congratulated RFA.

“It is the first time a launch provider has gained approval to vertically launch into space from UK soil. With our own spaceport and range licences already in place we now have the full set of approvals required to launch into orbit.

“This is a historic first and we will be working very closely with RFA throughout the year to help on that first mission from SaxaVord.”

Aviation Minister Mike Kane called it a “landmark moment”, and the CAA’s chief executive, Rob Bishton, said the approval heralded “a new era for aerospace” and “a historic milestone for the nation”.

RFA co-founder Jörn Spurmann said in a statement that the licence represented a “ground-breaking moment”.

“This licence marks Europe’s bold step toward independent, competitive, and sustainable space access,” he added, though the RFA did not respond to questions about when they hope to launch from SaxaVord for the first time.

The CAA’s licensing process considers factors ranging from health and safety for launch staff to national security and mitigating the environmental impact of a space rocket launch.

The regulator will continue to monitor RFA in the build-up to a launch.

RFA was founded in 2018 and says it’s mission is “to build rockets just like cars”.

• Read the full story in this week’s edition of The Shetland Times, out Friday 17th January.

Trio admit attack which scarred victim for life

A man tried to escape by plane using a fake name after being involved with two others in a horror attack in Lerwick.

Rhys Chan, 32, teamed up with Tyler Kidd, 30, and Kyle Swannie, 28, to target Jordan Palmer while in a vehicle in Lerwick on 22nd November 2023.

Mr Palmer was repeatedly struck with an axe and knife during the attack which left him scarred for life.

Prosecutors said Chan then turned up the next day at Sumburgh Airport.

He is said to have tried to travel away from the islands “under the name of Daniel Robinson”.

Chan did this in a bid to “avoid arrest and prosecution” for the attack.

Kidd meantime is said to have travelled to Lerwick Ferry Terminal hidden in the boot of a vehicle to try and escape on 29th November 2023.

The trio today (Wed) appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

They all pleaded guilty via their lawyers to assaulting Mr Palmer to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Chan and Kidd also each admitted to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Kidd further pleaded guilty to a separate earlier assault on Mr Palmer at the Trench Bar in Lerwick on 17th September 2023.

This was said to have been to the man’s injury.

Prosecutor John Macpherson told the hearing further information on the crimes will be heard when the case next calls.

Lord Young adjourned until February 12 in Edinburgh.

Funeral arrangements for renowned architect released

The funeral of architect Richard Gibson will be held at Mareel on Thursday at 11am.

News comes almost three weeks since Mr Gibson died.

The architectural firm Nee Gibson shared the information on social media yesterday (Monday).

In the company’s post, it said: “He established our original practice in 1972, taking the helm for almost 40 years until 2011, when employees Nick Brett and Adrian Wishart shared directorship with him until his retirement in 2016. We’ll mis him greatly.”

A live link will also be available for those who are unable to attend in person. To use the live link, people can search @GoudiesFuneralDirectors/streams on Youtube.

UPDATE: Whalsay reduced to single vessel after Hendra breaks down

Whalsay’s ferry service was reduced to a single vessel due to the breakdown of the Hendra.

The voicebank confirmed this morning (Saturday) the vessel had broken down and all bookings had been suspended.

However, the voicebank said in an update at noon the vessel will return to service as normal this afternoon.

Shetland Islands Council has been approached for comment.

Footpath gritting services reduced in Scalloway and Lerwick this weekend

The council has warned there will be a reduced footpath gritting service in Scalloway and Lerwick this weekend due to staff illness.

SIC road service staff normally provide a footpath gritting service seven days a week on footpaths in Lerwick and Scalloway, as well as in rural areas when resources allow.

However, with less staff available on Saturday and Sunday, there will be a reduced service – meaning some areas may not be gritted as usual.

The SIC urged the public to take care on some untreated footpaths which they may normally expect to be gritted.

Scalloway kicks off 2025 fire festival season

The first fire festival of the season is under way in Scalloway, as Guizer Jarl John William Laurenson leads his squad through the village.

Laurenson – portraying Thorfinn Torf-Einarsson “‘Skull Splitter” – met his Jarl’s Squad at the Scalloway Boating Club before visiting the UHI campus to perform songs for well-wishers.

A morning procession from Port Arthur to Da Waterfront will be held to present the galley to the public. The galley Austrsker will remain there until all guizers are ready for the evening procession.

Guizer Jarl Laurenson and his 52-strong squad are expected to pay visits to the Walter and Joan Gray Eventide Home, Scalloway Primary School and others in Hamnavoe and Tingwall.

Before this evening’s procession the squad will entertain senior citizens back at The Scalloway Boating Club before having tea at Da Haaf.

Tonight’s light up is expected to be around 7pm.

Replacement windfarm blade arrives in Lerwick

A replacement blade for the broken Viking Energy wind turbine has arrived in Lerwick Harbour, according to SSE.

This comes weeks after the turbine, located near Vidlin, became damaged.

A statement from SSE Renewables said the turbine would have specialist transport take the new blade with a police escort tomorrow morning.

“The blade will travel from the port via the A970 to the Viking windfarm site, following our established blade delivery route during construction,” SSE Renewables said.

“Every effort is being made to avoid any significant delays to motorists while the delivery takes place under the supervision of Police and our specialist team. We would like to thank the local community in advance for their patience while this takes place.”

It also encouraged anyone that has any questions or encounters any issues on the day to contact the organisation directly at [email protected].

Debate to be held on coastguard helicopter

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has secured a debate on the future of coastguard helicopter services following plans to quadruple response times.

Mr Carmichael previously led a debate on the issue in November 2023, following revelations about the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s plans to quadruple the emergency response time for the helicopter service based at Sumburgh from 15 minutes to 60.

During that debate, the then-government committed to a review of the proposals, which was supposed to be published by the end of 2024 but has yet to be made public.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Carmichael said: “I am glad to secure this debate to get some definitive answers on the future of the search-and-rescue helicopter service in the isles. Ministers in the previous government committed to a review which was to report last year but there has been no sign of it as of yet. We cannot wait any longer.

“The planned quadrupling of response times could easily be the difference between life and death at sea. The blunt truth is that the more you strip back these services the more likely it will be that people fall through the gaps and lives are lost.”

The debate will be held on Tuesday 14th January.

Read the full story in this week’s Shetland Times.

Tuesday’s sailings not cancelled, just delayed, says Northlink

Both north and southbound ferries between Lerwick and Aberdeen this evening (Tuesday) will depart off-schedule and not stop in Orkney because of rough weather.

The southbound sailing scheduled for 4:30pm will instead leave at midnight, and is expected to arrive around 1pm on Wednesday.

The northbound sailing will leave Aberdeen an hour earlier than scheduled at 4pm and may be up to two hours late arriving in Lerwick on Wednesday morning.

Just before 10am this morning NorthLink had announced both sailings would be cancelled altogether, before updating their schedule with the delayed sailings half an hour later. 

NorthLink said disruption can be expected to continue through till at least Thursday.

Monday’s sailing from Aberdeen to Lerwick departed early and was bumpy through the journey.

“I can’t lie to you folks it’s going to be poor,” Hrossey’s captain announced leaving Aberdeen harbour.

“We’re going to make a run for it, but it’s northerly swells and we’re heading north so we’re going to be slamming into it all night.”

More detailed updates will follow throughout the week as forecasts are updated, NorthLink said.