Plans submitted for satellite ground station
PLANS have been lodged for a new satellite ground station in Unst.
The application has come from the SaxaVord Spaceport.
The project, which appears to involve multinational aerospace company Airbus, would see up to six radomes located near to the Baltasound airstrip.
A spokesman for SaxaVord Spaceport said: “Our business model is based on supporting both satellite launch activity and bringing down data from those satellites to a network of ground stations around the world.
“This application is with regards to, and yet another step in building up a sustainable business in Shetland in one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy.”
The planning documents say initially there will be two full-motion and one “satcom” antennas – with the latter “used for site connectivity to Airbus facilities around the globe”.
The spaceport spokesman was unable to expand on Airbus’ role in the project due to commercial sensitivities.
In late May SaxaVord Spaceport held an opening ceremony as work progresses towards a first vertical launch later this year.
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