Welcome to the UK Space Launcher Forum
This site is dedicated to the discussion and recording of the history of space launch systems in the UK. New launch sites are emerging within the British Isles and we…
Photo Report Isle of Wight March 2025 Part 1, Columbine Shed
The Isle of Wight is an important location in the history of UK rocketry. It's widely known that Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets were tested at High Down, right…
UK Space Agency director throws weight behind SaxaVord
January 2025 : UKSA investment of £20m in Orbex should accelerate development at SaxaVord. Matthew Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency said of Orbex's move from Sutherland…
RFA granted Launch Operator License
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) was granted the license by the UK Civil Aviation Authority this week, allowing them up to 10 vertical rocket launches per year. This is more good…
Orbex’s Sutherland build “pause” benefits Saxavord
Moray based Orbex have announced their intention to focus launch efforts at Saxavord Spaceport in Shetland. They leased the 13 acre Sutherland site from Highlands and Islands Enterprises (HIE) in…
SaxaVord and Sutherland to collaborate with 6 other international spaceports
At the International Astronautical Congress on the 13th October 2024, eight international spaceports agreed to work together to build standards and procedures for the development and operation of their facilities.…
Goonhilly secures contract for deep space comms
Not strictly a booster story, but as a historic UK site Goonhilly has a long and winding history in space related stories. From receiving the first transatlantic TV pictures via…
Reaction Engines Ltd closes its doors
UK based rocket engine sector suffered a significant setback at the end of October 2024 when REL and Reaction Engines Inc. (REL's US subsidiary) closed their doors for good. REL…
Not a UK launch but…
I was lucky enough to catch a SpaceX Falcon 9 night launch earlier this week, sending 23 Starlink satellites up to join the rest of their internet service constellation. Photos…
Blue Streak at National Space Centre, Leicester.
I happened to be visiting the NSC in Leicester for an event, and snapped this photo of their Blue Streak boosted in the rocket tower. If you've never visited it's…
Delays at Saxavord in Shetland
The Saxavord launch platform sustained significant damage during a test firing on 19th August 2024. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), the German company responsible for the test, said it's likely caused…