Initiative to lead sovereign space launch for European security
- Satellite Evolution Group
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
UK and German space industries are joining forces to provide a rapid vertical launch capability into space for Europe as global geopolitical uncertainty mounts.
At the SpaceComm expo in London’s Docklands, SaxaVord Spaceport, based in Unst, Shetland, and German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) announced they are supporting the launch of intelligence gathering and monitoring satellites as well as commercial satellites into orbit.
It follows the Trinity House agreement announced by the two governments in October last year, which is designed to deepen UK-German defence co-operation.
With RFA and other clients including HyImpulse, another German company, gearing up to lift off from SaxaVord, the UK’s only fully licensed vertical launch spaceport, the two nations are seeking to take the lead within NATO to step up Europe’s space launch ambitions.
Many European countries are “space-locked” – they lack their own access to space – meaning SaxaVord is attracting greater interest. This new initiative will provide vital capabilities to European countries and NATO members at a time of mounting geo-political and economic uncertainty.
Frank Strang, CEO of SaxaVord, said: “We have all our licences for orbital vertical launch already in place, and we are putting the finishing touches to infrastructure on site to support our partners – in particular Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) which has made a significant financial investment in our spaceport.
“SaxaVord has been collaborating closely with RFA for several years now and has been advocating for and driving this key UK-German initiative.
“We live in an unpredictable and ever more dangerous world and space as a domain has an ever increasing role to play in keeping us secure and protecting our economies.
“The UK and Europe have an asset in SaxaVord that can play a huge role in maintaining the status quo and, combined with RFA, a capability that can help defend our combined interests. We at SaxaVord are ready, willing and able to support this historic partnership.”
Jörn Spurmann, co-founder and CCO at RFA, said: “In a world where security challenges are evolving at an unprecedented pace, the partnership between RFA, SaxaVord, and the UK and German governments has never been more vital.
“Together, we are establishing a sovereign, rapid-response launch capability – one that is not just ready but built to act decisively when national and regional security demands it.
“By combining cutting-edge launch technology with SaxaVord’s strategic location, we are reinforcing the backbone of a resilient, agile European defence network in space.
“This collaboration not only strengthens UK-German ties but also fortifies allied security frameworks like NATO and the expanding Seven Eyes initiative. More than just cooperation, this is a decisive step toward securing Europe’s leadership in space defence and strategic deterrence."
General Traut, head of German Space Command, said: “For me, it has even become more important to strengthen links between our traditional European partners, especially in regard to space. What we are seeing today between German and UK companies is very encouraging. Having access to sovereign launch will be very important for our security.”
German Ambassador to London, Miguel Berger, said: “It’s so good to see SaxaVord working so closely with German companies Rocket Factory Augsburg and Hympulse – we will very soon have the capability for rocket launch on the European continent by having micro launchers. Sovereign launch is important for our two nations and allies across Europe.”
Former UK security Tom Tugendhat said: “What happens in space changes lives on earth. A sovereign launch site is essential to defending our interests and our allies. We can’t make choices if we don’t invest in our capabilities. That’s why SaxaVord matters. In partnership with Germany and others in Europe the investment in Britain’s ability to put satellites up makes us commercially and globally more secure.”
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