Famous Rocket to be displayed at Parliament

Skyrora Press releases

Black Arrow Visits Holyrood Ahead of Parliamentary Space Debate

Owain Hughes, Partnership Manager at Skyrora with Black Arrow at Parliament

 

A ROCKET brought 10,000 miles home from the Australian outback is to be showcased in front of the Scottish Parliament.

 

50 years after its original launch, the Black Arrow rocket was returned to British soil from its landing site in Southern Australia by fast-moving Scottish space firm Skyrora.

 

After being unveiled in front of politicians, the UK Space Agency and leading figures from the space industry on Burns’ night this year, Black Arrow is set to be displayed at the Holyrood site on Thursday, 14th March.

 

Black Arrow’s visit will coincide with a space debate held in the parliamentary chambers and will serve as a symbolic representation of the UK’s position at the forefront of the new global space race.

 

The decision to bring Black Arrow home has been applauded by Helen Sharman, who became the first UK astronaut in 1991 and believes the rocket’s return will inspire people to find out more about Britain’s impressive space legacy.

 

Helen said: “Space is such an integral part of every day that often we do not think about the satellites and rockets that enable our modern lives.

 

“Looking at Black Arrow, we can see how much science and engineering were needed to create it. I hope it will inspire people to find out more.”

 PR Photography image of Black Arrow by Tech PR experts at Holyrood PR

Edinburgh-based Skyrora, which is just 20 months old, has already developed a large team comprising 120 people with headquarters in Edinburgh and six workshops around Europe, including a new production facility in Loanhead, Midlothian.

 

The company, which plans to launch satellites into orbit from the North of Scotland, is developing propulsion technology with many similarities to Britain’s first and only launch vehicle to date.

 

Christine Grahame Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, said: “I am delighted to be part of securing the display of Black Arrow which I had the privilege of seeing recently in Penicuik”

 

Black Arrow was developed and tested by a team of engineers on the Isle of Wight, with the third flight from Woomera, Australia, serving as the first and only UK-led orbital launch.

 

Ivan McKee, MSP Minister for Trade Innovation and Investment, added: “Scotland’s space sector has huge potential – in the manufacture of rockets and satellites and their launch and operation.

“I am delighted that Skyrora has brought the Black Arrow to Scotland and look forward them being a key part of Scotland’s exciting journey to become Europe’s leading space nation” ”

 

The transportation process to get Black Arrow back from Australia involved it being shipped across land and sea, making the journey from the Australian desert to Bishop’s Move in Penicuik – where the rocket was first unveiled.

 

It will now be displayed outside parliament on Thursday, March 14.

 Tech PR photograph of Dan Smith at Skyrora

Daniel Smith, Director at Skyrora, said: “Black Arrow serves as a testament to Britain’s space legacy.

 

“We’re delighted that the Scottish Parliament were keen to showcase Black Arrow during the Space Debate and would welcome people of all ages along to see such an iconic piece of Britain’s space heritage.

 

“With satellites, data companies and potential launch locations, Scotland is key to the UK space sector. We hope our STEM Ambassadors can continue to find ways to help inspire the next generation of engineers, ensuring Scotland stays at the forefront of the industry for many years to come.”

Skyrora successfully completed its inaugural test launch north of the border last year.

 

The company’s next rockets, Skylark Micro and SkyHy, are ready to launch and will allow their team to gain more valuable experience, with the latter capable of reaching the edge of space, a feat never accomplished by a private company launching from the UK before.

 

Skyrora’s rapidly expanding team aims to capture its share of the fast-growing small satellite launch market and recently displayed a 3D printed prototype engine for its orbital launcher at the National Student Space Conference at Edinburgh University. The same engine is set for testing at Cornwall Airport Newquay in the coming weeks.

 

It is developing launch vehicle technology that builds on previous British rocket programmes with the aim of reducing the cost of launches thanks to proven technology and advanced engineering methods.

 

The firm draws on Britain’s launch heritage with ambitions to build a robust supply chain while creating new employment opportunities to inspire the next generation of talent.

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