SCOTLAND’s Sustainable Spaceport
Melness Crofters’ Estate supports the building of Space Hub Sutherland for a number of reasons - including job creation and investment in our local economy. But one big reason is because the plans are sustainable and eco-friendly. We’re pleased that planning permission has now been granted, and we’re proud that the world’s first carbon neutral spaceport will be being built on Melness Crofters’ Estate land.
What makes the spaceport so sustainable?
Spaceport construction and operation will be carbon-neutral
The footprint of the spaceport is tiny, no larger than a smallholding farm. It has been designed to be carbon-neutral and to blend in with the natural environment. The launch operation centre blends gently into the landscape due to the low profile and green roof and will be virtually invisible to the surrounding communities.
The spaceport avoids environmentally sensitive areas
After an exhaustive study of the alternatives in the UK, one of the main reasons experts chose Sutherland was because it avoids environmentally-sensitive areas. Following a detailed two-year environmental impact assessment study, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and NatureScot have accepted the plans for the spaceport. The location avoids disturbing any cultural heritage sites, protected wildlife reserves and sensitive wildlife breeding grounds.
Spaceport construction will restore areas of damaged peatland
The Mhoine peninsula has been used widely for peat harvesting over many years. Peat lifted during construction will be used to restore significant areas of peatland that have been damaged by past activity
Reuseable rockets will use a renewable bio-fuel
Orbex, the rocket company launching from the site, will use a renewable bio-fuel called bio-propane to fuel the rocket. It reduces CO2 emissions by 90% compared to kerosene fuels. The Orbex Prime rocket was designed to be reusable. Which means the rocket will leave no debris on land, in the sea or in Earth’s orbit.
Satellites launched from Sutherland will improve our knowledge of climate change
Satellites launched from Sutherland are expected to be used mainly for Earth observation purposes. The data gathered by these satellites will help scientists better understand and tackle climate change.
