Orbex: Space Hub Sutherland: All systems go for UK Pathfinder launch

Sstatement from Orbex as the Scottish Land Court has given the green light to the development of the Space Hub in Sutherland – which is the set to become the UK’s first Spaceport. The court ruled that it was in the public interest for the development to go ahead, citing its ability to create “meaningful and desirable employment opportunities” in the local area, and was satisfied that any local residents affected would be fairly recompensed. 

The Spaceport has received the enthusiastic backing of the Melness Crofters Estate, the committee of local crofters that own land in the area. This latest decision follows unsuccessful legal action by Danish billionaire Anders Povlsen to stop the Spaceport. In a Judicial Review ruling last month, the Judge ruled against Povlsen on every count. 

Commenting on the Land Court decision, Chris Larmour, CEO of Orbex, said in a statement:

“This is another landmark legal decision in favour of the Spaceport project. We were always hopeful that this would be the decision, bearing in mind the enthusiastic support from the majority of the crofters. Space Hub Sutherland is still the only UK Spaceport with planning permission, and with the recent Judicial Review ruling and now this positive Land Court decision, it’s all systems go and we can look ahead to the first UK Pathfinder launch from Space Hub Sutherland.”