First UK Launch License Secured by Skyrora
Allows Launch of Skylark L Rocket from U.K. Facility
The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted its first launch license to Skyrora, allowing for the launch of its suborbital Skylark L rocket from a U.K. site. The license is considered a major step toward end-to-end launch capability from British soil.
“Becoming the first homegrown company in the U.K. to receive a launch operator license is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora.”
Volodymyr Levykin, Skyrora
The license marks a key advancement in the U.K.’s National Space Strategy. With it, Skyrora can offer sovereign launch services tailored to government and commercial needs, strengthening Britain’s ability to access space independently.
“Becoming the first homegrown company in the U.K. to receive a launch operator license is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Skyrora. We are pleased to be able to move forward with our launch plans," said Volodymyr Levykin, CEO of Skyrora. "Given that operators like us, alongside the CAA, have been forging a new path, the journey to getting our U.K. license has been a long but ultimately rewarding one. 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.
"It is essential that the U.K. has sovereign launch capabilities. Not only to unlock commercial activity for companies that need to access space and to help achieve the government’s objectives for becoming a global player in the space sector, but also from a strategic defense consideration. Skyrora is proud to be leading efforts that enable launch activity from the U.K. and we look forward to achieving a reliable commercial launch program that benefits us all.”
“Securing the UK’s first launch operator license is a landmark moment in Skyrora’s plans to become the first company in the U.K. to build and launch a rocket into space," said Scottish Government Business Minister Richard Lochhead MSP. "It is also a significant milestone and a hugely exciting development for the space sector in Scotland, with Skyrora’s partnership with Saxavord spaceport in Shetland meaning we move a step closer to the prospect of a Scottish-headquartered company launching a rocket into space from a Scottish spaceport.”
Although the 2022 Skylark L launch from Iceland didn’t achieve full mission success, it offered essential real-world data and a solid foundation for system improvements. The campaign deepened Skyrora’s insight into vehicle performance, logistics, and recovery — valuable steps on the path toward orbital launch with Skyrora XL.
Standing 36 feet tall and capable of carrying ≈110 pounds beyond the Kármán line, Skylark L is powered by a clean-burning 30kN bipropellant engine and built with 3D-printed components in the U.K. Initially developed to validate subsystems ahead of Skyrora XL, the prototype has also opened doors to microgravity research at a lower cost than orbital alternatives.
With its license secured, Skyrora is preparing for a U.K.-based Skylark L launch and continues to work closely with regulators, spaceports, and partners to establish regular launch activity from British soil. The company’s operations — rooted in Scotland — contribute to regional growth, innovation, and the U.K.’s expanding role in the global space economy.
This achievement reinforces Skyrora’s position as a leader in sovereign launch capability and a trusted partner in delivering agile, environmentally responsible access to space.