It’s all kicking off in the world (or well, no world) of space today, with both the UK and US making massive steps in the space race.
In the UK, a Scottish company has received the cosmic equivalent of a space driving license.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has given the green light for Skyrora to launch a rocket from a remote Scottish island.
If the launch is successful, Skyrora would become the first British company to manufacture and launch a rocket into space from the UK.
SaxaVord, a former radar station on Unst in the Shetland Islands, is the country’s only space port – the world of tomorrow is today, folks.
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It would also be the first rocket launch on British soil in 50 years, when Black Arrow, launched from Woomera in 1971, placed a satellite into orbit.
What is Skylark XL?
Skylark XL can reach an altitude of 500km, piercing a layer of warm air called the thermosphere, where many satellites and spacecraft orbit.
It lacks the capabilities to reach low-Earth orbit, however, the goal of most micro launch companies.
The rocket is made from 3D-printed parts and is capable of reaching 3.5 times the speed of sound.
Skylark XL could be used to conduct cheap microgravity experiments.
The Skylark XL product page says the craft is designed to place payloads into polar orbit up to 1,000km in the atmosphere.
Scots could be craning their necks up high to see a 12-metre-long suborbital rocket, a Skylark L, tearing through the clouds next year. The end goal is to launch the bulkier Skyrora XL model.
The licence, which was granted last month, says Skyrora can launch a rocket into the heavens up to 16 times a year by 2030.
Rob Bishton, CEO of CAA, told Metro: ‘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.’
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, welcomed the news.
He told Metro: ‘This demonstrates the growing strength of our domestic launch capabilities, and the thriving commercial space economy we are building across the country.
‘With companies like Skyrora, we’re positioning Britain as the natural choice for customers seeking reliable, cost-effective access to space from European soil.’
Alan Thompson, head of government affairs at Skyrora, told Metro that the launchpad won’t be used commercially but will test different space tech.
‘As for future launches, two of the three stages of the XL vehicle are complete, and we expect to deliver the first stage soon,’ he added.
‘We plan to complete integration tests of the XL vehicle next year, dependent on manufacturing timelines, and target a launch in 2027.’
US and China race to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon
As the UK reaches for the stars, the US is thinking bigger – both the US and China are working to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon.
The US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to announce fast-tracked plans to achieve this, fearing that if China does so first, they could ‘potentially declare a keep-out zone’.
The mini reactor will generate 100 kilowatts of electrical power – enough to keep the lights on for about 80 households – and will be ready to launch by 2029, Duffy wrote in a directive according to Politico.
He added: ‘To properly advance this critical technology to be able to support a future lunar economy, high power energy generation on Mars, and to strengthen our national security in space, it is imperative the agency move quickly.’
Nuclear power is the only reliable option for astronauts living on the Moon, where a day is about a month, half spent in scorching sun and the other in frigid darkness.
The Moon’s South Pole is likely where a nuclear reactor could be set up, where it’s sunny 80% more of the time and frozen water hides in craters.
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