LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Britain has authorized Rocket Factory Augsburg to conduct satellite launches from a site in northern Scotland on Thursday, potentially opening the door to routine commercial space missions from European territory.
With the license granted, Rocket Factory Augsburg's 30-meter-tall rocket, operated by the German company RFA, has been cleared to transport satellites into orbit, likely in the third quarter of this year, according to a source familiar with the launch schedule.
The UK has long sought to expand its space industry by adding launch capabilities, employing over 45,000 people and producing more satellites than any other country outside the United States.
After a setback two years ago when a horizontal rocket launch from Newquay, southwest England failed, a successful vertical launch later this year could reinvigorate the industry's outlook.
Britain's Civil Aviation Authority issued the country's first vertical launch license, allowing rockets to launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, while also continuing safety oversight in the upcoming months.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane expressed, "This is a significant milestone for RFA, SaxaVord, and the UK space sector, bringing us closer to the first commercial vertical space launch in the United Kingdom," in a statement.
Several prerequisites must be met before the launch, such as obtaining insurance coverage and finalizing international agreements with other countries, as outlined by the CAA.