News / Space company says rocket launch followed all correct procedures
A COMPANY behind the recent test rocket launch in Fethaland says “all legal and compliance procedures” were followed during the operation.
It comes after a report presented to Shetland Islands Council’s harbour board on Wednesday said neither the local authority or Sullom Voe Terminal had been informed that the launch was going to take place.
The company plans to launch from one of the three proposed spaceports in Scotland and commercially launching from Shetland in the future is a potential option for the company.
A report from Shetland Islands Council’s harbour master Greg Maitland said that “no notification was made to the port authority” and that the launch was only discovered through coverage in the media in the days after.
A further report from Captain Trevor Auld said that an investigation into the launch “identified that the activity is currently unregulated by the UK Government”.
The launch was included in a list of marine related incidents recorded over the last number of months.
Skyrora project manager Katie Miller told Shetland News that the company sent the harbour master a letter on 22 June “explaining that due to the type of vehicle we launched and its trajectory, the port authority did not need to be informed due to the launch being contained to the peninsula”.
She added that “we have received no feedback” since sending the letter.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
