Fathers urged to apply for jobs at nurseries and pre-schools in Government drive
Remote 90-acre Scottish island for sale for less than a home in London
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Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Scottish space company gets launch licence but is still searching for a pad
A Scottish space company is celebrating a 'huge milestone' after it was granted a launch operator licence for one of its rockets. However, Skyrora is still searching for a pad to blast off from, with none available this year at least. The company, which has a factory in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, have been granted a launch licence for its suborbital rocket, Skylark. Later, the company hopes to use a much larger rocket called XL to deliver satellites into orbit. The licence enables Skyrora to launch from the UK's licensed 'vertical launch' spaceport: SaxaVord on the northernmost point of the Shetland Islands. But there are not currently any pads free there. Volodymyr Levykin spoke to the PA news agency just before the launch licence was announced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). He said Skylark, a single-stage rocket measuring almost 12 metres long, would go 'up and down' when it launches – taking a 50 kilo payload to an altitude of about 500 kilometres (310 miles). If successful, this will mean it crosses the boundary into space but it will not deliver a satellite into orbit. Mr Levykin said of the licence: 'This is a huge milestone for us because at least half of the work, maybe 70% has been done. Looking forward to actually launching. 'The whole application was based on SaxaVord in Shetland Isles as a launch location, however, there are some room for adjustments and flexibility.' Mr Levykin said SaxaVord 'is not available any more for us to launch, this year at least'. Earlier this year, another space company called Orbex announced it would move its launch operation to SaxaVord from the under-construction Sutherland Spaceport on Scotland's north coast. Mr Levykin said his company is now considering other options, including potentially using the Sutherland site vacated by Orbex. He said: 'At the moment we're trying to figure out – what is the legal structure, what is owned, what is not owned? 'What is the capacity of the current management, the jurisdiction? 'But you take this apart – practically, it's absolutely do-able because we have the mobile launch concept.' He said this would allow Skyrora to launch its rocket in a variety of locations around Europe with just a few days of preparation. In October 2022, the company attempted to launch Skylark from Iceland, but a software problem led to it falling into the sea just after lift-off. Ultimately, Skyrora wants to use its 23-metre XL rocket to launch about eight times a year, to capitalise on the burgeoning global demand for small satellite launches. They are aiming to do the initial test-firing of this rocket's first stage this year, though the location has not yet been revealed. It would involve nine engines firing at the same time. Rob Bishton, chief executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora, its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation. 'Our work as the UK's space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it.' Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government's business minister, said: 'Securing the UK's first launch operator licence is a landmark moment in Skyrora's plans to become the first company in the UK to build and launch a rocket into space.' UK aviation and space minister Mike Kane said: 'I am thrilled we've reached this important milestone in the UK space sector, and I congratulate Skyrora for being the first UK company to receive a rocket launch licence.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This launch licence isn't just one giant leap for Skyrora – it's a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK's space sector. 'Becoming the first British company to manufacture and send a rocket into space from the UK will be a hugely significant moment.' UK space minister Sir Chris Bryant said: 'The award of the first-ever licence to a UK firm to launch satellites from British soil is a landmark moment for our burgeoning space sector – as well as a clear statement of intent. 'Demand for satellites in Europe alone is expected to be worth 50 billion US dollars (£37 billion) by 2033 and having the homegrown capacity to launch satellites stands to pull lucrative contracts and investment into the UK. 'But this isn't all just jam tomorrow. This is an industry that is creating jobs and driving growth right across the UK right now, including Scotland where Skyrora is based and from where their rockets will launch. 'As part of our modern industrial strategy, we are determined to unleash the space industry's full economic potential – rocket-boosting the plan for change.'
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Derek McInnes hopes Tony Bloom enjoyed Hearts' win over Aberdeen
The Brighton owner was at Tynecastle for the first time after recently completing a deal to invest in the Edinburgh club, and he had his name sung by supporters lapping up his bold pre-match declarations that Hearts can win the Scottish title and break into the Champions League. After an early own goal from Dons skipper Graeme Shinnie and a 73rd-minute header from Stuart Findlay sent Hearts top of the fledgling league table, manager McInnes said of Bloom's attendance at the match: 'He'll have loved getting his name sung. I haven't spoken to him yet, I'm meeting him tomorrow. 'We've had a couple of text conversations. I think he would have been encouraged as well, seeing Tynecastle the way it was. I think he would have enjoyed it. He certainly would have enjoyed the result because, as he's said, he just wants to see a winning Hearts team more often than not. That's what we're all wanting.' McInnes smiled wryly when asked about Bloom's bullish comments in the 24 hours leading up to the match, but he said: 'I knew what Tony was going to say, I heard what you guys heard, absolutely no problem with it at all. 'There's so many people, including Tony, who are ambitious and want Hearts to be successful at the club. He's obviously come in with a fresh pair of eyes and came out and shot for exactly what he wants. 'We're trying to make progress and I think we can make progress. Where Tony and others and myself think we can bridge the gap and maybe try and get ahead of others is the confidence they have in the recruitment.' McInnes felt he had 'a team screaming to win the game of football there, absolutely busting'. 'For sheer commitment, guts, effort, I thought we were 10 out of 10,' he said. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin conceded the better team won. 'We had an idea of how we were going to take on the game today in the first half with the ball, and we didn't succeed in that,' he said. 'Hearts put good pressure on us, and then they win these second balls and create a momentum with the crosses. They were better in the first half. 'I think in the second half we got better with the ball and started creating some chances in their box, but we were not really clinical. We were not really there.'
Roya News
2 hours ago
- Roya News
Storm Floris sows travel chaos in UK
High-speed winds disrupted trains and blew over trees in Scotland and northern England where residents were advised against travelling as an "unusually" fierce summer storm hit the UK on Monday. Gusts in the north of Scotland reached 132 kilometres per hour (82 miles per hour), the fastest ever recorded in August in Scotland. The second-most serious amber wind warning was in place across almost all of Scotland as officials sought to minimise damage. "Storm Floris is an unusually strong storm for the time of year," the UK's Meteorological Office said in a statement. The Met Office said it was only the third time an amber wind warning had been issued in August since the system launched in 2011, adding that some gusts in Scotland were "likely" to beat records. Scientists say human-induced climate change is driving more intense and frequent extreme weather events around the globe, as the planet continues to warm. Several train operators in northern England and Scotland cancelled services, warning passengers not to make their journeys. A tree was removed after it fell onto overhead railway wires in Glasgow, causing a fire, according to Network Rail Scotland. Multiple trees were also blown over in the northeastern Scottish region of Aberdeenshire, blocking roads. Flights were cancelled, especially from Aberdeen airport in the north-east. In Scotland's capital, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo marching parade was cancelled and Edinburgh Zoo said it would be closed for the day. Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the Royal Family in the north of Scotland, was also closed to visitors on Monday. About 22,500 homes were without power in the afternoon according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Storm Floris is the second named storm to hit the UK this year, and the sixth one this storm season, which will run from early September 2024 to late August 2025.
