The Space Industry: Glasgow Satellites and Shetland Rockets
Contents
In 2014 a small satellite called UKube-1, built by Clyde Space in Glasgow, was launched into orbit, becoming the first satellite built in Scotland. Since then, Glasgow has become a centre for building small satellites, and is often said to build more of them than anywhere in Europe. Meanwhile, plans have taken shape for rocket launch sites in Scotland's far north, including SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst in Shetland, which received a launch licence in 2025. This card tells the story of a young industry, with its ambitions and setbacks.
TL;DR
- established UKube-1, built by Clyde Space in Glasgow, was launched from Baikonur on 8 July 2014. It was Scotland's first satellite and the first CubeSat mission commissioned by the UK Space Agency.
- established Glasgow has become a hub for small satellite manufacturing, with companies such as AAC Clyde Space and Spire Global.
- shared Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, is often said to build more satellites than anywhere else in Europe. The claim is widely repeated by industry and government but depends on how satellites are counted.
- established SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst, Shetland, received a spaceport licence in December 2023, and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) received a licence to launch to orbit from it in January 2025. An RFA first stage was destroyed in an explosion during a test there in August 2024.
- established As of August 2026 no rocket had yet reached orbit from Scotland: RFA's first launch was postponed after a problem was found on the pad. The Forres launch company Orbex ceased operations in February 2026.
Key Facts
- First Scottish satellite
- UKube-1, Clyde Space, 2014
- Satellite hub
- Glasgow
- Companies
- AAC Clyde Space, Spire Global, Alba Orbital and others
- Spaceport
- SaxaVord, Unst, Shetland; spaceport licence December 2023; RFA launch licence January 2025
- Test setback
- Rocket stage explosion at SaxaVord, August 2024
- Other projects
- Space Hub Sutherland, A' Mhòine (to be built "if and when deemed necessary")
- Launch firms
- Skyrora (Glasgow); Orbex (Forres, ceased operations February 2026)
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
The space industry changes quickly, and launch dates often slip. This card reflects information available to August 2026 and should be checked for later developments. The claim that Scotland or Glasgow builds more satellites than anywhere else in Europe comes from industry and government sources.
Timeline
Clyde Space founded in Glasgow.
UKube-1 launched.
Glasgow satellite companies grow.
SaxaVord receives a spaceport licence.
Rocket stage explodes during a test at SaxaVord.
RFA receives a licence to launch to orbit from SaxaVord.
Skyrora is licensed for suborbital launches from SaxaVord.
Orbex ceases operations.
RFA postpones its first launch after finding a problem on the pad.
Details
Small satellites
established Advances in electronics have made it possible to build small satellites, such as CubeSats, cheaply. Clyde Space, founded in Glasgow in 2005, built UKube-1, launched in 2014, the first satellite made in Scotland. Glasgow became a centre for small satellite design and manufacturing, with firms building satellites for Earth observation, weather and communications.
Scotland's claim
shared Glasgow is frequently described as building more satellites than anywhere in Europe. The claim reflects the number of small satellites built by companies there, but it depends on how satellites are counted.
Launching from Scotland
established Scotland's northern location suits launches into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. SaxaVord Spaceport, on Unst in Shetland, Britain's most northerly inhabited island, received a spaceport licence from the Civil Aviation Authority in December 2023, and Rocket Factory Augsburg received a licence to launch to orbit from it in January 2025. In August 2024, a first stage of a rocket built by the German firm Rocket Factory Augsburg was destroyed by fire and explosion during an engine test there. A second site, Space Hub Sutherland on the A' Mhòine peninsula, was planned, but Orbex moved its first launch to SaxaVord in 2024 and Sutherland is to be built only "if and when deemed necessary". In August 2026 RFA found a problem with its rocket on the pad at SaxaVord and postponed what would have been the first orbital launch from the UK.
Scottish rockets
established Scottish companies have developed small launch vehicles. Skyrora, based in Glasgow, attempted a suborbital launch from Iceland in 2022, and was licensed in August 2025 for up to 16 suborbital launches a year from SaxaVord. Orbex, based in Forres, developed an orbital rocket called Prime but ceased operations in February 2026 after takeover talks failed.
Did You Know?
- The first Scottish-built satellite was launched in 2014.
- Glasgow is a centre for small satellites.
- A rocket stage exploded during a test at SaxaVord in 2024.
- Northern launch sites suit polar orbits.
- UKube-1 was launched on a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
- SaxaVord is on Unst, Britain's most northerly inhabited island.
- Orbex began in 2015 as Moonspike, a crowdfunded plan for a private Moon mission.
FAQ
1What was the first satellite built in Scotland?
UKube-1, built by Clyde Space and launched in 2014.
2Does Glasgow build many satellites?
Yes; it is often said to build more than anywhere in Europe.
3Where are Scotland's spaceports?
SaxaVord in Shetland is licensed; Space Hub Sutherland has not been built.
4Has a rocket launched to orbit from Scotland?
Not as of August 2026, when the first planned launch was postponed.
5Why launch from Scotland?
Its northern location suits polar orbits.
6When was UKube-1 launched?
On 8 July 2014, from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
7What happened to Orbex?
The Forres rocket company ceased operations in February 2026.
8Which companies are licensed at SaxaVord?
Rocket Factory Augsburg, for orbital launches, and Skyrora, for suborbital launches.
Sources and Further Reading
Primary/Institutional
- AAC Clyde Space, "Scotland's first satellite: UKube-1" (aac-clyde.space)
General
- Wikipedia, "SaxaVord Spaceport" (en.wikipedia.org)
- Wikipedia, "Orbex" (en.wikipedia.org)
- Space.com, "Rocket issue delays 1st orbital rocket launch from the UK", 2 August 2026 (space.com)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Do not state Glasgow's European record as an exact statistic.
- Do not report launches without checking current information.
A Industry story