An environmental assessment of the planned SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland has been put out for consultation.
To carry out spaceflight activity in the UK, launch operators must be licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and have "adequately considered any potential environmental effects of their intended activities", as well as taking steps to avoid, mitigate or offset the risks and their potential effects.
SaxaVord's site is located on the Lamba Ness Peninsula, in the north east of Unst.
Shetland Space Centre is proposing up to 30 launches per year over the next 30 years, comprising both orbital and sub-orbital launches.
While no licence is yet in place, work is already underway at the Lamba Ness launch site. Earlier this week, the SaxaVord team completed the initial concrete launch stool.
Shetland Islands Council granted planning permission in February, with Lockheed Martin and Skyrora among the companies looking at launching satellites, as early as next year.
One of the environmental considerations is for no launches or tests between mid-May and the end of June to avoid disturbing breeding birds. U nst's 135 bird species include red-throated divers, merlins, puffins and Arctic terns.
Shetland Space Centre chief executive Frank Strang commented: “It is in our DNA at SaxaVord to take our obligations to the environment very seriously, underlined by the fact that to the best of my knowledge we are the only spaceport in Scotland that employs a full-time sustainability officer.
“Through the CAA’s consultation we will welcome constructive comments on how to improve the mitigation of our environmental impacts.”
The consultation closes for submissions on 8 December.
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