Realising UK Sovereign Assured Responsive Launch through Skyrora and MOD-Led Space Capability Procurement

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Today’s House of Lords report, The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out, makes clear that sovereign launch is not a luxury, it is a strategic necessity.

In an era of intensifying geopolitical competition and space-based strategic dependencies, the UK must reassert its sovereign capability to access orbit. We are the only advanced space economy to have relinquished sovereign launch and we now stand at a critical juncture to reclaim it.

Skyrora offers a credible and scalable pathway to deliver this capability. With our launch licence and operational readiness launch licence, Skyrora is positioned to anchor the UK’s return to orbital autonomy. The key missing piece of the puzzle is Space focused procurement programme from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The recently appointment National Armaments Director can support by shifting from fragmented grant funding to strategic space capability procurement contracts, allowing the UK Government to de-risk private investment in launch infrastructure, stimulate industrial growth and close the business case for sovereign launch.

As the NATO industry advisory group meeting in Bucharest it is vital the UK Space industry can also support the Strategic Defence Review imperative “NATO FIRST” allowing Space Command to take a lead on NATO STARLIFT programme, which seeks to ensure rapid and independent access to orbit for allied missions. Skyrora’s sovereign launch capability can serve as a cornerstone of NATO’s assured access strategy, positioning the UK as a launch provider for allied defence, resilience, and humanitarian operations.

What does Skyrora want the UK government to do next?

Designate UK spaceports as Critical National Infrastructure
Expand MOD procurement to include launch services as strategic assets
Align sovereign launch with the six core space capabilities in the National Space Strategy and incorporate in Space Control Capability development plans
Champion UK launch capability within NATO and ESA frameworks

We couldn’t agree more with remarks from Baroness Ashton, Chair of the UK Engagement with Space Committee: “Only the most strategic and forward-looking nations will capture the economic and scientific rewards of this new space age. With the right leadership, co-ordination, and investment, the UK can be there. Space is transforming the world and our report found much to be positive about. Britain should play a role in leading this transformation. If not, it risks being left behind.”

We have the capability.

We have the clarity.

We now have a clear mandate from Parliament.

Skyrora is ready to anchor Britain’s return to sovereign launch.