Shetland Space Centre
SaxaVord Spaceport (formerly Shetland Space Centre) operates the UK's first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport in Unst, Shetland, providing launch services for small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, ground station data reception, and related infrastructure for European launch vehicle operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersGrantown On Spey, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Shetland Space Centre does
SaxaVord Spaceport (originally founded as Shetland Space Centre in 2017) operates the United Kingdom's first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport, located at Baltasound Airfield on the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst, Shetland — the northernmost point of the UK. The facility is purpose-built for launching small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits and has stated capacity to handle approximately 60% of orbital launches from Europe, making it one of only two vertical launch spaceports on the continent. Its infrastructure comprises vertical launch pads, on-site rocket engine testing facilities, and ground station antennae for satellite data reception, with plans to extend the ground station network globally.
The company's commercial offering centers on two revenue streams: launch services (launch pad rentals, launch operations coordination, and related services for small satellite operators and launch vehicle providers) and managed ground station services for satellite data downlink. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting the specialized B2B nature of the business. Client engagement is direct enterprise field sales, with regulatory coordination handled alongside the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The company is ISO 9001 certified and has secured its first formal commercial launch agreement with HyImpulse Technologies GmbH for the SR75 suborbital launch vehicle. Additional non-core offerings include the SaxaZero environmental program, education outreach services, and a launch viewing experience capped at 600 viewer passes offered first to local residents per CAA licensing conditions.
Operationally, the company remains in a pre-commercial phase with 1-10 employees, a single disclosed funding round of approximately $128K in 2020, and a registered office in Grantown On Spey alongside the operational site in Unst. Leadership was expanded in late 2025 with the appointments of a Director of Operations and a Spaceport Operations Manager to support preparations for first launch.
Shetland Space Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shetland Space Centre
- Legal name
- SaxaVord Spaceport
- Website
- https://shetlandspacecentre.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SaxaVord Spaceport (formerly Shetland Space Centre) operates the UK's first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport in Unst, Shetland, providing launch services for small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, ground station data reception, and related infrastructure for European launch vehicle operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shetland Space Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Launch Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ground Segment Systems (Ground Stations, TT&C, Mission Ops) (IMABACAJ)
Keywords
Where Shetland Space Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grantown On Spey
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Shetland Space Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Launch Services: Providing vertical launch infrastructure and services for small satellite operators. Revenue generated through launch pad rentals, launch operations coordination, and launch-related services.
- Ground Station Services: Satellite data reception services using ground station antennae, with plans for a global network of ground stations
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Shetland Space Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shetland Space Centre (operating as SaxaVord Spaceport) is building and operating a fully licensed vertical launch spaceport on the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst, Shetland. The facility supports small satellite launches into polar and sun-synchronous orbits and operates ground station antennae for satellite data reception, with plans for a global ground station network.
Product overview
SaxaVord Spaceport operates as a vertically integrated launch services platform comprising a licensed vertical launch spaceport, ground station infrastructure for satellite data reception, and educational outreach programs. The core offering is the vertical launch spaceport itself, supported by satellite data downlink capabilities through ground stations in Unst and a planned global network. SaxaZero environmental initiative runs alongside operations, and the company offers public viewing experiences for launches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SaxaVord Spaceport (Vertical Launch Services) UK's first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport located in Unst, Shetland. Provides vertical launch infrastructure and operations coordination for launching small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, with capacity for 60% of orbital launches from Europe. Clients include launch services companies such as HyImpulse Technologies GmbH.
- Ground Station Services Satellite data reception service using ground station antennae at the Unst site, with plans for a global ground station network to downlink data from satellites in orbit.
Companies that use Shetland Space Centre
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Shetland Space Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Shetland Space Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- HyImpulse Technologies GmbHcoreHyImpulse, a European launch services provider with operations in Germany and the United Kingdom, signed a launch services agreement with SaxaVord Spaceport for the second flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle. The company has also conducted successful rocket engine tests on site at SaxaVord, demonstrating the partnership's operational maturity.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Shetland Space Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shetland Space Centre social profiles
Digital presenceShetland Space Centre compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Shetland Space Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shetland Space Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Shetland Space Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shetland Space Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shetland Space Centre
What does Shetland Space Centre do?
Shetland Space Centre (operating as SaxaVord Spaceport) is building and operating a fully licensed vertical launch spaceport on the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst, Shetland. The facility supports small satellite launches into polar and sun-synchronous orbits and operates ground station antennae for satellite data reception, with plans for a global ground station network.
Is Shetland Space Centre a public or private company?
Shetland Space Centre is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Shetland Space Centre founded?
Shetland Space Centre was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Shetland Space Centre based?
Shetland Space Centre is headquartered in Grantown On Spey, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Shetland Space Centre make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Launch Services are the primary driver. The others are ground Station Services.
Does Shetland Space Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shetland Space Centre.
What industry is Shetland Space Centre in?
Shetland Space Centre's product category is Space Launch Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAJ, Ground Segment Systems (Ground Stations, TT&C, Mission Ops). Its NAICS code is 51741.