Spaceport proposes smaller rocket launch site to protect local habitats
Sutherland Spaceport is being built on the A’Mhoine peninsula on a site leased to space launch services company Orbex.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The company building a spaceport on the northern coast of the Scottish mainland has proposed changes to its plans for the site, with a smaller footprint and lower buildings suggested.
Sutherland Spaceport is being built on the A’Mhoine peninsula on a site leased to the UK company Orbex, which intends to use it for satellite launches.
Construction on the site began in May this year, with the company saying at that point it hoped to host 12 launches a year.
Orbex is now consulting with the local community on proposed changes, including a smaller launch pad, to better protect the surrounding environment.
These changes will make the building footprint smaller, leading to a reduction in peat disturbance and a lower impact on the groundwater ecosystem
There will also be smaller access roads, and the size of the integration facility, where rockets are assembled before launch, is to be reduced.
The company said: “These changes will make the building footprint smaller, leading to a reduction in peat disturbance and a lower impact on the groundwater ecosystem.
“The visual impact of the site will also be reduced, and there will be less disturbance to local watercourse crossings, with mammal migration paths widened to better preserve the natural environment.
“The proposed changes should also result in a shorter construction period and fewer vehicle movements.”
Orbex said Sutherland will be the first carbon-neutral spaceport in the world, with plans to launch its 19-metre tall Prime rocket there.
Public bodies have invested £14.6 million in the Sutherland Spaceport.
A rival spaceport is under construction at SaxaVord on Unst, the very northern tip of the Shetland Isles.
A German company, Rocket Factory Augsburg, aims to launch from there in 2024.