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British [[astronaut]] [[Tim Peake]] is a [[Board of directors|board member]] at Skyrora together with Nick Laird, and [[Susan Greenfield, Baroness Greenfield|Baroness Susan Greenfield]].<ref name=":0" />
British [[astronaut]] [[Tim Peake]] is a [[Board of directors|board member]] at Skyrora together with Nick Laird, and [[Susan Greenfield, Baroness Greenfield|Baroness Susan Greenfield]].<ref name=":0" />


==Overview==
== Overview ==
In May 2020, Skyrora held a successful static fire test of the Skylark L vehicle at a mobile launch site on Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.<ref name=":3" />
In May 2020, Skyrora held a successful static fire test of the Skylark L vehicle at a mobile launch site on Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.<ref name=":3" />


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In  April 2021, Skyrora received €3 million of co-funding from the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA).<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaraHunterDouglas|date=2021-05-27|title=Rocket firm all systems go following new legislation|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/05/rocket-firm-all-systems-go-following-new-legislation/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>
In  April 2021, Skyrora received €3 million of co-funding from the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA).<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaraHunterDouglas|date=2021-05-27|title=Rocket firm all systems go following new legislation|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/05/rocket-firm-all-systems-go-following-new-legislation/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Rockets==
== Rockets ==
[[File:Skylark Nano III Start.jpg|thumb|Skylark Nano III Start|184x184px]]
[[File:Skylark Nano III Start.jpg|thumb|Skylark Nano III Start|184x184px]]
[[File:Skylark Micro start.jpg|thumb|181x181px|Skylark Micro start]]
[[File:Skylark Micro start.jpg|thumb|181x181px|Skylark Micro start]]
===Skylark Nano===
=== Skylark Nano ===
The Skylark Nano was launched in 2020 as an unguided supersonic rocket designed for simulating a launch to then be recovered with the use of [[Parachute|parachutes]]. Neither a control system nor a thrust vector control system is required.
The Skylark Nano was launched in 2020 as an unguided supersonic rocket designed for simulating a launch to then be recovered with the use of [[Parachute|parachutes]]. Neither a control system nor a thrust vector control system is required.


It has been launched three times as part of Skyrora’s de-risking programme in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. Following launches in 2018 and 2019, the rocket has reached an altitude of 6km during the most recent test in [[Shetland]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Skylark Nano – Parabolic Arc|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/tag/skylark-nano/|access-date=2021-04-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rodger|first=Paul|title=Skylark Nano: Shetland propelled into the rocket age with first launch|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/skylark-nano-shetland-propelled-into-the-rocket-age-with-first-launch-mvptwtdll|access-date=2021-04-28|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
It has been launched three times as part of Skyrora’s de-risking programme in the [[Scottish Highlands]]. Following launches in 2018 and 2019, the rocket has reached an altitude of 6km during the most recent test in [[Shetland]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Skylark Nano – Parabolic Arc|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/tag/skylark-nano/|access-date=2021-04-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rodger|first=Paul|title=Skylark Nano: Shetland propelled into the rocket age with first launch|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/skylark-nano-shetland-propelled-into-the-rocket-age-with-first-launch-mvptwtdll|access-date=2021-04-28|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>


===Skylark Micro===
=== Skylark Micro ===
The Skylark Micro is a two-stage supersonic rocket designed as an intermediate step between Skylark Nano and Skylark L. It made the flight in August 2020, reaching an altitude of 27km.<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|title=Skyrora Rocket Launch From Iceland Reaches Three Times The Height Of Mount Everest|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/08/18/skyrora-reaches-three-times-the-height-of-mount-everest-with-rocket-launch-from-iceland/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|date=2020-08-18|title=Skyrora’s Skylark micro rocket launches from Iceland|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2020/08/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-launches-from-iceland/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Skyrora’s Skylark Micro Rocket Set For Icelandic Launch – SatNews|url=https://news.satnews.com/2020/08/10/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-set-for-icelandic-launch/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=news.satnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Skyrora’s Skylark Micro Rocket Set For Icelandic Launch|url=https://smallsatnews.com/2020/08/10/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-set-for-icelandic-launch/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=smallsatnews.com}}</ref>
The Skylark Micro is a two-stage supersonic rocket designed as an intermediate step between Skylark Nano and Skylark L. It made the flight in August 2020, reaching an altitude of 27km.<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|title=Skyrora Rocket Launch From Iceland Reaches Three Times The Height Of Mount Everest|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/08/18/skyrora-reaches-three-times-the-height-of-mount-everest-with-rocket-launch-from-iceland/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|date=2020-08-18|title=Skyrora’s Skylark micro rocket launches from Iceland|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2020/08/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-launches-from-iceland/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Skyrora’s Skylark Micro Rocket Set For Icelandic Launch – SatNews|url=https://news.satnews.com/2020/08/10/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-set-for-icelandic-launch/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=news.satnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Skyrora’s Skylark Micro Rocket Set For Icelandic Launch|url=https://smallsatnews.com/2020/08/10/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-set-for-icelandic-launch/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=smallsatnews.com}}</ref>


===Skylark L===
=== Skylark L ===
[[File:Skyrora start.jpg|thumb|183x183px|Skyrora L]]
[[File:Skyrora start.jpg|thumb|183x183px|Skyrora L]]
The Skylark L [[Supersonic transport|suborbital]] launch vehicle is the first Skyrora rocket to use a [[3D printing|3D printed]] hydrogen peroxide–kerosene [[engine]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-27|title=Skyrora's 3D Printed-Engine Rocket Completes First UK Ground Test in 50 Years|url=https://3dprint.com/267833/skyroras-3d-printed-engine-rocket-ground-test/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=3DPrint.com {{!}} The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing|language=en-US}}</ref>
The Skylark L [[Supersonic transport|suborbital]] launch vehicle is the first Skyrora rocket to use a [[3D printing|3D printed]] hydrogen peroxide–kerosene [[engine]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-27|title=Skyrora's 3D Printed-Engine Rocket Completes First UK Ground Test in 50 Years|url=https://3dprint.com/267833/skyroras-3d-printed-engine-rocket-ground-test/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=3DPrint.com {{!}} The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing|language=en-US}}</ref>
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This rocket was subject to a full static [[fire test]] in May 2020 at the Kildermorie Estate in [[Alness]], Scotland, which was the first ground rocket test in Scotland in 50 years.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Skyrora and UK's first rocket launch test in 50 years - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament|url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/57003/skyrora-and-uks-first-rocket-launch-test-in-50-years|access-date=2021-04-28|website=edm.parliament.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Speed|first=Richard|title=Brit rocketeer Skyrora reckons it'll be orbital in 3 years – that is, if UK government plays ball|url=https://www.theregister.com/2019/08/22/skyrora/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref>
This rocket was subject to a full static [[fire test]] in May 2020 at the Kildermorie Estate in [[Alness]], Scotland, which was the first ground rocket test in Scotland in 50 years.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Skyrora and UK's first rocket launch test in 50 years - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament|url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/57003/skyrora-and-uks-first-rocket-launch-test-in-50-years|access-date=2021-04-28|website=edm.parliament.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Speed|first=Richard|title=Brit rocketeer Skyrora reckons it'll be orbital in 3 years – that is, if UK government plays ball|url=https://www.theregister.com/2019/08/22/skyrora/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref>


===Skyrora XL===
=== Skyrora XL ===
The Skyrora XL is a three-stage [[Space tug|orbital]] launch vehicle with nine hydrogen peroxide–kerosene engines used in Skylark L. The rocket is under development, and the first flight is planned for Q4 2022. It is expected that the rocket will be able to bring a payload of 315kg to a 500km orbit.
The Skyrora XL is a three-stage [[Space tug|orbital]] launch vehicle with nine hydrogen peroxide–kerosene engines used in Skylark L. The rocket is under development, and the first flight is planned for Q4 2022. It is expected that the rocket will be able to bring a payload of 315kg to a 500km orbit.


Skyrora has successfully tested a final stage rocket engine in its first stationary ground-firings. In April 2021, the company successfully tested the upper stage of the Skyrora XL rocket and completed a static fire test in its engine development complex in Fife.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Speed|first=Richard|title=Brit rocketeer Skyrora reckons it'll be orbital in 3 years – that is, if UK government plays ball|url=https://www.theregister.com/2019/08/22/skyrora/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The UK's First Complete Ground Rocket Test in 50 Years Takes Place in Scotland {{!}} Skyrora|url=https://www.skyrora.com/post/the-uks-first-complete-ground-rocket-test-in-50-years-takes-place-in-scotland|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.skyrora.com}}</ref> In October 2021 the company reached a multi-launch agreement with [[SaxaVord Spaceport]] to launch the Skyrora XL rocket starting from the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyrora-agrees-multi-launch-deal-with-shetland-spaceport-for-the-next-decade |title=Skyrora agrees multi-launch deal with Shetland Spaceport for the next decade |work=Skyrora |date=12 October 2021 |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref>
Skyrora has successfully tested a final stage rocket engine in its first stationary ground-firings. In April 2021, the company successfully tested the upper stage of the Skyrora XL rocket and completed a static fire test in its engine development complex in Fife.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Speed|first=Richard|title=Brit rocketeer Skyrora reckons it'll be orbital in 3 years – that is, if UK government plays ball|url=https://www.theregister.com/2019/08/22/skyrora/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The UK's First Complete Ground Rocket Test in 50 Years Takes Place in Scotland {{!}} Skyrora|url=https://www.skyrora.com/post/the-uks-first-complete-ground-rocket-test-in-50-years-takes-place-in-scotland|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.skyrora.com}}</ref> In October 2021 the company reached a multi-launch agreement with [[SaxaVord Spaceport]] to launch the Skyrora XL rocket starting from the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyrora-agrees-multi-launch-deal-with-shetland-spaceport-for-the-next-decade |title=Skyrora agrees multi-launch deal with Shetland Spaceport for the next decade |work=Skyrora |date=12 October 2021 |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref>


==Engines==
== Engines ==
The company has successfully tested several types of engines in 2020 and 2021:
The company has successfully tested several types of engines in 2020 and 2021:


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</gallery>
</gallery>


==Achievements==
== Achievements ==
In August 2018, Skyrora conducted Scotland's first commercial rocket launch by a private company at Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scotland’s first commercial rocket launch an 'important step'|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/16609777.scotlands-first-commercial-rocket-launch-important-step/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=The National|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Second test launch mission - Skylark Nano II|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgsuCExMyIY|language=en|access-date=2021-04-28}}</ref>
In August 2018, Skyrora conducted Scotland's first commercial rocket launch by a private company at Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scotland’s first commercial rocket launch an 'important step'|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/16609777.scotlands-first-commercial-rocket-launch-important-step/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=The National|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Second test launch mission - Skylark Nano II|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgsuCExMyIY|language=en|access-date=2021-04-28}}</ref>


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In 2021, Skyrora received £2.5 million in funding from [[European Space Agency]] as a part of ESA’s Boost! programme.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two Scottish space companies secure £8.5 million|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-scottish-space-companies-secure-85-million|access-date=2021-04-28|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=ESA awards €10.45 million to two UK launch startups|url=https://spacenews.com/esa-awards-e10-45-million-to-two-uk-launch-startups/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2021, Skyrora received £2.5 million in funding from [[European Space Agency]] as a part of ESA’s Boost! programme.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Two Scottish space companies secure £8.5 million|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-scottish-space-companies-secure-85-million|access-date=2021-04-28|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=ESA awards €10.45 million to two UK launch startups|url=https://spacenews.com/esa-awards-e10-45-million-to-two-uk-launch-startups/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US}}</ref>


===Education===
=== Education ===
The company has organised a graduate placement program to help the graduates and young talents to get into the sector. They offer technical positions for students and summer internships.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Student pair to reach for stars after winning placement with Scots space firm|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19101985.student-pair-reach-stars-winning-placement-scots-space-firm/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=The National|language=en}}</ref>
The company has organised a graduate placement program to help the graduates and young talents to get into the sector. They offer technical positions for students and summer internships.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Student pair to reach for stars after winning placement with Scots space firm|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19101985.student-pair-reach-stars-winning-placement-scots-space-firm/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=The National|language=en}}</ref>


Skyrora has helped fund the retrieval of the first stages of [[Black Arrow|Black Arrow R2]] and R3 and provided sponsorship for the UKSEDS programme.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-01-21|title=Black Arrow: UK space rocket returns home from Australia|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-46938858|access-date=2021-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=LaraHunterDouglas|date=2021-04-28|title=Skyrora launches online store inspiring future space commanders|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/04/skyrora-launches-online-store-inspiring-future-space-commanders/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>
Skyrora has helped fund the retrieval of the first stages of [[Black Arrow|Black Arrow R2]] and R3 and provided sponsorship for the UKSEDS programme.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-01-21|title=Black Arrow: UK space rocket returns home from Australia|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-46938858|access-date=2021-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=LaraHunterDouglas|date=2021-04-28|title=Skyrora launches online store inspiring future space commanders|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/04/skyrora-launches-online-store-inspiring-future-space-commanders/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>


===Ecological fuel===
=== Ecological fuel ===
Skyrora has upgraded its kerosene made of unrecyclable waste [[plastic]] to be used as [[Rocket propellant|rocket fuel]] – Ecosene. The new fuel is said to produce 45 percent less [[greenhouse gas]] than traditional fuel. In February 2020, Skyrora has already used the fuel to fire its LEO engine for the final stage of Skyrora XL rocket at their engine test complex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Skyrora - Event|url=https://edinburgh.bcs.org/events/2020/201006_Skyrora.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|title=A Scottish Launch Company Just Tested A ‘Green’ Rocket Engine That Uses Waste Plastic As Fuel|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/02/04/a-scottish-launch-company-just-tested-a-green-rocket-engine-that-uses-waste-plastic-as-fuel/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Launch startup Skyrora successfully tests 3D-printed rocket engines powered by plastic waste|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/02/03/launch-startup-skyrora-successfully-tests-3d-printed-rocket-engines-powered-by-plastic-waste/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>
Skyrora has upgraded its kerosene made of unrecyclable waste [[plastic]] to be used as [[Rocket propellant|rocket fuel]] – Ecosene. The new fuel is said to produce 45 percent less [[greenhouse gas]] than traditional fuel. In February 2020, Skyrora has already used the fuel to fire its LEO engine for the final stage of Skyrora XL rocket at their engine test complex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Skyrora - Event|url=https://edinburgh.bcs.org/events/2020/201006_Skyrora.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|title=A Scottish Launch Company Just Tested A ‘Green’ Rocket Engine That Uses Waste Plastic As Fuel|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/02/04/a-scottish-launch-company-just-tested-a-green-rocket-engine-that-uses-waste-plastic-as-fuel/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Launch startup Skyrora successfully tests 3D-printed rocket engines powered by plastic waste|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/02/03/launch-startup-skyrora-successfully-tests-3d-printed-rocket-engines-powered-by-plastic-waste/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>


Skyrora started to use [[3D printing|3D printers]] to manufacture various rocketry components as a sustainable methodology of production.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Rockets could launch from UK next year as government provides regulatory ‘launchpad’|url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/rockets-could-launch-from-uk-next-year-as-government-provides-regulatory-launchpad|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.imeche.org}}</ref>
Skyrora started to use [[3D printing|3D printers]] to manufacture various rocketry components as a sustainable methodology of production.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Rockets could launch from UK next year as government provides regulatory ‘launchpad’|url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/rockets-could-launch-from-uk-next-year-as-government-provides-regulatory-launchpad|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.imeche.org}}</ref>


==External links==
== External links ==


* [https://www.skyrora.com Official website]
* [https://www.skyrora.com/ Official website]
* [https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd Skyrora on Twitter]


==See Also==
== References ==
* [[Skylark (rocket)|Skylark (British sounding rocket series)]]
* [[Orbex]]
* [[Reaction Engines]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


Revision as of 17:41, 30 December 2021

Skyrora Ltd
Company typePrivate
FoundedJune 21, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-06-21)
Headquarters
Edinburgh, Scotland
,
U.K.
Key people
  • Volodymyr Levykin (CEO)
Websitewww.skyrora.com

Skyrora Ltd is a private space company based in the United Kingdom since 2017.

The company specialises in the design and manufacture of modular disassemblable rocket launch vehicles, specifically for the launch of small satellites, and portable launch systems, using eco-friendly technologies such as the fuel known as Ecosene and the Skyrora Space Tug.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Skyrora is headquartered in Edinburgh.[7][8]

The Skyrora CEO and founder is Volodymyr Levykin, previously the COO of an AIM-listed online dating company Cupid plc.[9][10][11][12]

British astronaut Tim Peake is a board member at Skyrora together with Nick Laird, and Baroness Susan Greenfield.[11]

Overview

In May 2020, Skyrora held a successful static fire test of the Skylark L vehicle at a mobile launch site on Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.[13]

In August 2018, Skyrora successfully conducted Scotland's first commercial rocket launch by a private company at Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.[14][15] The company launched the 1.3-metre-tall Skylark Nano rocket using an M class model rocketry motor in August 2018 and the 2-metre-tall Skylark Nano II rocket using a Cesaroni M-1520BS model rocketry motor in July 2019.[16][17][18] The rockets are all built and assembled in the United Kingdom.[19]

In  April 2021, Skyrora received €3 million of co-funding from the European Space Agency (ESA).[20]

Rockets

Skylark Nano III Start
Skylark Micro start

Skylark Nano

The Skylark Nano was launched in 2020 as an unguided supersonic rocket designed for simulating a launch to then be recovered with the use of parachutes. Neither a control system nor a thrust vector control system is required.

It has been launched three times as part of Skyrora’s de-risking programme in the Scottish Highlands. Following launches in 2018 and 2019, the rocket has reached an altitude of 6km during the most recent test in Shetland.[16][17][21][22]

Skylark Micro

The Skylark Micro is a two-stage supersonic rocket designed as an intermediate step between Skylark Nano and Skylark L. It made the flight in August 2020, reaching an altitude of 27km.[23][24][25][26]

Skylark L

Skyrora L

The Skylark L suborbital launch vehicle is the first Skyrora rocket to use a 3D printed hydrogen peroxide–kerosene engine.[27]

It is capable of fulfilling scientific micro-gravity needs.[28]

Skylark L was developed to launch 60kg of payload 100km up.[29]

This rocket was subject to a full static fire test in May 2020 at the Kildermorie Estate in Alness, Scotland, which was the first ground rocket test in Scotland in 50 years.[13][30]

Skyrora XL

The Skyrora XL is a three-stage orbital launch vehicle with nine hydrogen peroxide–kerosene engines used in Skylark L. The rocket is under development, and the first flight is planned for Q4 2022. It is expected that the rocket will be able to bring a payload of 315kg to a 500km orbit.

Skyrora has successfully tested a final stage rocket engine in its first stationary ground-firings. In April 2021, the company successfully tested the upper stage of the Skyrora XL rocket and completed a static fire test in its engine development complex in Fife.[31][32] In October 2021 the company reached a multi-launch agreement with SaxaVord Spaceport to launch the Skyrora XL rocket starting from the end of 2022.[33]

Engines

The company has successfully tested several types of engines in 2020 and 2021:

  • Skylark L Engine, a three-tonne regeneratively cooled bi-liquid rocket engine with a pressure fed system capable of generating 30kN thrust.[34]
  • Skyforce-2, a seven-tonne engine for the first and second stage of the orbital Skyrora XL launch vehicle that uses advanced turbopump techniques. It is capable of creating 70kN thrust.[35][36]
  • LEO engine for Skyrora XL running on hydrogen peroxide and kerosene and producing 3.5kN thrust, but it has also passed the successful test with Ecosene fuel. The engine is able to re-ignite several times.[37][38]
  • Space Tug, a vehicle that can navigate to any location in open space using its own power and perform multiple manoeuvres in space, which would be useful to remove space debris and maintain or replace satellites in orbit. The tug was successfully tested in December 2020 with the fully integrated setup of the engine.[39][40][41][42]

Achievements

In August 2018, Skyrora conducted Scotland's first commercial rocket launch by a private company at Kildermorie Estate in Ross-shire.[43][44]

In 2020, the company got the status of the Company of a Year in Aerospace & Defense among mid-size companies by Stevie Awards, Inc. after participating in Space Camp accelerator programmes from Seraphim Capital.[45][46]

In 2019, Skyrora was awarded the CleanTech award at the Go:Tech Awards 2019. In 2020, Skyrora received the Leif Erikson Lunar Prize Award for its innovative project ‘Ecosene’.[47][48]

In 2020, during the Aviation & Aerospace Awards 2020, Skyrora won the ‘Best Small Satellite Launch Vehicle Manufacturer Award’.[49]

In 2021, Skyrora received £2.5 million in funding from European Space Agency as a part of ESA’s Boost! programme.[50][51]

Education

The company has organised a graduate placement program to help the graduates and young talents to get into the sector. They offer technical positions for students and summer internships.[52]

Skyrora has helped fund the retrieval of the first stages of Black Arrow R2 and R3 and provided sponsorship for the UKSEDS programme.[53][54]

Ecological fuel

Skyrora has upgraded its kerosene made of unrecyclable waste plastic to be used as rocket fuel – Ecosene. The new fuel is said to produce 45 percent less greenhouse gas than traditional fuel. In February 2020, Skyrora has already used the fuel to fire its LEO engine for the final stage of Skyrora XL rocket at their engine test complex.[55][56][57]

Skyrora started to use 3D printers to manufacture various rocketry components as a sustainable methodology of production.[4]

External links

References

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