Skyrora’s Skylark L ahead of a suborbital launch attempt from Iceland’s Langanes peninsula in October 2022. Credit: Skyrora
Published by The BBC, 12 February 2026
Glasgow-based rockets manufacturer Skyrora says it is looking at possibly buying “select assets” of troubled space firm Orbex, including its Sutherland Spaceport project.
Orbex, which has its headquarters in Forres, Moray, has appointed administrators after failing to secure sufficient funding.
The company said in December 2024 it had paused its plans to build the satellite launch site near Tongue, but would retain the lease to construct and operate the base.
Skyrora said its potential asset acquisition could involve up to £10m worth of investment.
The company, which has a manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, said its move would ensure Orbex technology and the spaceport remained under UK ownership.
It also said its bid would safeguard products that had received public funding.
Chief operating officer Dr Jack-James Marlow said Skyrora was committed to providing “reliable, independent” access to space.
Skyrora designs and builds rockets to carry small satellites into space.
In May 2020, it carried out the UK’s first complete ground rocket test in 50 years.
The 36ft (11m) tall Skylark-L rocket was tested at Kildermorie Estate, near Alness, in the Highlands.
The rocket performed all the actions of a launch while restrained to the ground to prevent it from taking off.
Orbex has been planning the first launch of its Prime rocket later this year at SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, with the prospect of becoming a commercial launch vehicle for satellites.
The SNP’s Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and Moray West MP Graham Leadbitter said 20 companies had noted an interest in Orbex.
The company employs about 160 people.
See: Original Article
