Airspace approved for use by Western Isles spaceport

A permanent airspace has been approved for around the site of a spaceport proposed for the Western Isles.

The permission from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) would allow for launches of small rockets carrying satellites from Spaceport-1.

Western Isles local authority – Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – has proposed building the facility at Scolpaig in North Uist.

The CAA said it had approved the airspace with conditions, which would be published later.

In 2023, the Scottish government decided not to call-in the controversial plans.

It had received 244 individual public responses opposing the plans, including a petition with almost 1,000 signatures.

The government’s decision meant councillors’ earlier approval of the planning application still stood.

The comhairle had hoped the first launches of small satellites might be possible by early 2025.

The CAA said the airspace design would become effective on 22 January next year.

Spaceport-1 is one of a number of sites being developed in Scotland.

Others include SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, Shetland.