Space / Criticism of space regulator ‘grossly unfair’ – Strang insists
SaxaVord Spaceport boss calls on industry to focus on the positives after the UK’s first space mission ended in failure earlier this year
THE MANAGING director of the country’s most northerly spaceport has come to the defence of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after the industry regulator was heavily criticised by Welsh company Space Forge following the failure of the UK’s first attempt to send a satellite into orbit.
Frank Strang of SaxaVord Spaceport, in Unst, said it was “grossly unfair” to blame the regulator for the launch failure of the Virgin Orbit Start Me Up mission.
According to the Guardian newspaper, senior figures of Space Forge told a government’s science and technology committee that following the failed mission from Cornwall Spaceport, the UK had turned “toxic” for future launches.
They said that unless there was a seismic change in the attitude and approach of the CAA, the UK would not be competitive from a launch perspective.
Space Forge said it had been six months ahead of the race to bring a satellite back to Earth, and were now six months behind in the game.
Non-executive director Patrick McCall is quoted as saying: “I think the conclusion I’ve reached is right now it’s not a good use of money, because our regulatory framework is not competitive.”
Space Forge’s satellite was part of the payload that was lost in early January – in what would have been the first rocket launch from European soil – when the rocket propelled from a converted Boing 747 failed to reach orbit.
But Strang compared the current state of the UK’s space industry to the industrial revolution, as it was developing at a very fast pace.
“Government agencies are not designed to move at speed at the best of times but in the case of the CAA there has never been a space launch programme prior to now,” he said.
“The bald facts are that the Cornwall Spaceport secured its spaceport licence and Virgin secured their launch licence and range licence.
“The technology within the launcher failed, as happens frequently in the industry. How can one blame the CAA and other government departments for that?
“It’s grossly unfair in my opinion, and it’s an attempt to cast blame on someone who cannot fight back. The recent statements are counterproductive to the health of the sector.”
SaxaVord has applied for the CAA licences it needs to operate the spaceport, and said it is confident to be ready to host the UK’s first vertical rocket launch into orbit from its Lamba Ness site later this year.
The regulations to underpin the new industry are far from perfect and not yet fit for purpose, Strang said, but the industry regulator is learning and is committed to engage with the emerging sector.
“The CAA space regulatory team have been sailing in uncharted waters until last year. In fairness they have been having to adapt to an exciting new [and] fast moving sector for the UK which takes a bit of adjustment,” he said.
“It is fair to say at the start of the process there was hesitancy and a reluctance to adapt and change, and we certainly were frustrated working with them, but as their team has grown and started to engage with the spaceports and range operators.
“In our experience they have been very open and listening to our licensing team and trying to understand the commercial dynamics, and how they as a regulator need to balance their role whilst facilitating, or rather not hindering, the growth of the sector.
“So, in short, we are really disappointed with what we have heard and read regarding the apportionment of blame and would rather everyone focus on the positive.
“The licensing regime was successfully navigated, and the UK secured its first horizontal launch spaceport, and I am very comfortable that we will secure our own vertical launch spaceport and range licences eventually.”
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