SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland has appointed a new security provider as part of a £100,000 annual spend on safeguarding the site, following concerns raised over a former vendor’s social media activity and compliance standards.
Documents lodged with Companies House show that the SaxaVord facility on Unst, operated by Shetland Space Centre, has been tightening its security arrangements as investment in the site has ramped up. The spaceport, backed by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, has recorded pre-tax losses of £5.4 million in 2024 as it continues development towards regular commercial launches.
In Case You Missed It:
The Shetland Times has reported that the updated security contract, worth around £100,000 a year, is understood to cover perimeter protection, access control and on-site guarding across the expanding launch and support infrastructure. It follows industry-standard reviews of contractors’ digital footprints and regulatory compliance, a growing focus for strategically important facilities such as UK launch sites handling sensitive technology and international clients.
Local stakeholders have previously raised questions around transparency, safety and the community impact of the Shetland spaceport project, which forms part of Scotland’s bid to become Europe’s leading destination for small satellite launches. The enhanced security spend is being presented as part of efforts to reassure regulators, investors and nearby residents that operations will meet strict national spaceflight and aviation requirements.
Illustrating this trend, SaxaVord has already secured substantial government and private backing, including multi-million-pound funding to accelerate spaceport infrastructure and support jobs in Shetland and the wider Highlands and Islands. As the site moves closer to hosting regular vertical launches, its governance, financial performance and security posture are likely to face increasing scrutiny from both the space industry and the public.
