HyImpulse secures UK launch operator licence ahead of SR75 test flight
HyImpulse has been granted a UK launch operator licence, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for its SR75 suborbital rocket, slated for a spring 2027 launch from SaxaVord Spaceport.
HyImpulse successfully passed a detailed regulatory assessment and was awarded a UK launch operator licence, marking a major milestone for the firm. The licence enables the company to conduct its first SR75 suborbital flight from SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst, targeting spring 2027. The SR75 will support various research projects and is engineered to operate under a broad range of environmental conditions, though it will not carry satellites.
HyImpulse’s chief executive Christian Schmierer emphasized that the licence confirms the company’s safety procedures and technical readiness. The firm is also advancing work on an orbital vehicle, SL1, intended for future commercial satellite missions from SaxaVord. SaxaVord Spaceport chief executive Scott Hammond praised the achievement as a significant step toward regular launches at the facility. Ongoing coordination with the UK Civil Aviation Authority will focus on completing remaining licence requirements and final launch preparations.
Why it matters
The licence clears a regulatory barrier, allowing the UK to host more commercial space launches and advance its space sector.
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