SaxaVord Spaceport

SaxaVord Spaceport on the Lamba Ness peninsula of Unst, Shetland, is the UK’s first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport. Its spaceport and range licences permit suborbital and orbital launches, with one operational launch complex—launch stool, pad and integration hangar—occupied by Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA); two more complexes and a Mission Management Control Centre are under construction. SaxaVord also has a 2026 launch-services agreement with HyImpulse for the second SR75 suborbital flight. The operator announced a potential RFA test-flight window for 10 August–14 September 2026, with attempts limited to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 16:00–20:00 and at least 24 hours’ notice; however, SaxaVord said on 6 August that the associated temporary traffic orders were on hold until further notice, so no launch date or current road restrictions should be assumed. This is a controlled site, not a general walk-in attraction: remote Unst travel requires air/sea planning, and viewing is limited to authorised passes offered first to Unst residents with livestreams available. Confirm current operator notices, ferry/road restrictions and viewing permissions before travel. Visitor reference: Lamba Ness, Unst, Shetland Islands, ZE2 9DR, United Kingdom.