Biggest rocket engine manufacturing facility in the UK opens in Lanarkshire

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The largest space rocket engine factory in the UK has opened in North Lanarkshire and it will lead to a jobs boost.Skyrora has opened its new manufacturing and rocket production facility at Drum Mains Park in Cumbernauld, which will accommodate up to 100 high-skilled technical and business roles.The company specialises in rocket launch vehicles for the launch of small satellites, and portable launch systems.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Production has already commenced on two launch vehicles at the space facility, and there are plans to increase the number to 16 manufactured and assembled at the plant each year ready to make the journey into space.The Skyrora Vehicle Assembly Building includes 55,000 sq ft of factory floor and office space, and a 67,000 sq ft yard where rocket launches will be rehearsed and preparations made ahead of the real event taking place at Saxavord launch complex in Shetland.Skyrora has its headquarters in Edinburgh and its CEO and founder, Ukrainian-born Volodymyr Levykin, previously ran an IT company.

He personally invested more than £3.7m in the first 18 months of the rocket engine company’s infancy, and British astronaut Tim Peake is a board member.Skyrora has been based in the UK since 2017 and recently opened an engine test facility in Midlothian, and the new