6.10.2026

Neuenstadt am Kocher, Germany/SaxaVord Spaceport, UK, 1 October, 2026 – HyImpulse,
a leading European manufacturer and system provider of commercial rockets for
suborbital and orbital launch services, announced today that it has received its UK Launch
Operator Licence, marking a major milestone for the company and a significant step
toward strengthening Europe’s independent access to space. The licence establishes
HyImpulse as a licensed launch operator in the United Kingdom and paves the way for the
company’s first launch from European soil.
The licence grant marks the successful completion of a comprehensive regulatory review
process and enables HyImpulse to conduct launch operations from the United Kingdom. It
provides the framework for both the company's SR75 suborbital programme and future
orbital launches of the SL1 launch vehicle from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland
Islands.
"This licence is a major milestone for HyImpulse and validates years of work by our teams
and partners," said Dr. Christian Schmierer, CEO and Co-Founder of HyImpulse.
"Obtaining a launch operator licence in the UK is a rigorous process and demonstrates that
our systems, procedures and safety case meet the high standards required for commercial
launch operations."
Sue Kee, Head of Space Applications at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “The UK
has a strong and growing space ecosystem, with more companies, like HyImpulse, looking
to develop and operate launch capabilities from here. We are working closely with the
sector to enable an emerging launch industry that is safe, secure and sustainable.
Momentum continues to build towards vertical launch from the UK. We are in a significant
and exciting period for the UK's growing space sector.”
Scott Hammond, CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport, said: “This is excellent news for
HyImpulse and another milestone on the road to launch from SaxaVord. Securing a UK
Launch Operator Licence represents the culmination of a huge amount of work by the
HyImpulse team and the CAA, and we congratulate everyone involved.”
Following licence approval, HyImpulse and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will now
complete the operational implementation activities required before launch operations can
commence and a launch authorization is granted for the suborbital SR75. These remaining
activities concern the establishment of monitoring processes, operational reporting

mechanisms and verification activities required under the licence framework. Based on
the current assessment of these remaining activities with the CAA and the seasonal
weather conditions at SaxaVord Spaceport during autumn and winter, HyImpulse is
preparing for the flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle from European soil in spring
2027.
The SR75 is a lightweight, aerodynamically stabilized suborbital rocket designed for
research and technology demonstration missions, including microgravity and hypersonic
flight applications. With a lift-off mass of approximately 2.5 tonnes, an attitude control
system during lift-off phase and aerodynamic stabilization during flight, the vehicle
operates within more restrictive wind limits than larger launch vehicles. During the autumn
and winter months, these limits are frequently exceeded at SaxaVord Spaceport, making
launch opportunities less frequent and potentially resulting in extended waiting periods for
suitable launch conditions.
HyImpulse's larger SL1 orbital launch vehicle is expected to weigh more than 50 tonnes at
lift-off and relies on thrust vector control throughout powered flight. As a result, it will be
capable of operating under a substantially broader range of environmental conditions.
"With the operator licence secured, the most important regulatory milestone has been
achieved," said Dr. Schmierer. "SR75 is ready for flight, and our teams have completed
the major technical and operational preparations required for launch. Our focus is now on
completing the final activities within the licence framework in close coordination with the
CAA and SaxaVord, while preparing for launch as soon as conditions allow. At the same
time, we continue at full speed with the development of our orbital launch vehicle, SL1, to
bring satellites to orbit."

Quelle: Hyimpulse