QinetiQ Ltd Spaceport 1 Scolpaig North Uist

Purpose of this change

This proposal is for a Permanent change to the notified airspace design, and the change level is 1. The detailed process requirements are published in Part 1 of CAP 1616.

Spaceport 1 vertical small satellite rocket launch site at Scolpaig, North Uist on the Western Isles, is being developed as an opportunity in support of the UK government’s spaceflight programme, ‘LaunchUK’, which aspires to grow the UK’s global market share of the space sector to 10% by 2030. The site exists beneath Class G airspace but is only a few miles from the MOD, QinetiQ managed Hebrides Range Danger Areas EG D701 complex and EG D704. To provide protection around the Spaceport 1 site and segregate rocket launch activity from other airspace users, there is a requirement for a small segment (or 'fillet') of segregated airspace to be established; this airspace will connect the launch site with the existing Danger Areas. Spaceport 1 will then utilise irreducible spare capacity of the Danger Areas managed by QinetiQ, the latter utilising the Hebrides Range surveillance and communication capabilities to manage the airspace and launch activities. It is expected that the airspace management processes and procedures currently in place could be extended to cover Spaceport 1 activities. The extra ‘fillet’ of airspace required around the Spaceport 1 facility will only be activated for the short periods around rocket launch and even when operating at full capability, it is unlikely the airspace will be activated more than circa three to four times per month.

Potentially Affected Area

This is the area which may be affected by this airspace change depending on its development. This area may change as the proposal is developed.

Step 1b : Design Principles

This step has been started

During the Design Principles step, the sponsor develops the principles which will underpin their proposed options for the change. The design principles encompass the safety, environmental and operational criteria and strategic policy objectives that the change sponsor aims for in developing the airspace change proposal. They are developed through engagement with stakeholders and form a qualitative structure against which design options can be evaluated. Early engagement with stakeholders, optionally facilitated by a third party, may help to avoid disagreement later in the process.