Frank Strang: Visionary Entrepreneur Behind Europe’s First Spaceport

Frank Strang, a pioneering entrepreneur and the driving force behind Europe’s first licensed spaceport, Saxa Vord Spaceport, passed away on August 13, 2025, at the age of 67 due to oesophageal cancer. Strang’s journey to create a vertical launch facility in the Shetland Islands was marked by determination and innovation, as he transformed a disused RAF radar station into a hub for the burgeoning space industry.

Strang acquired the site on the island of Unst a decade before the vision of a spaceport took shape, initially with no intention of launching rockets. By 2017, as the UK government began to explore opportunities for a national launch capacity, Strang identified the potential of the former Saxa Vord base. With his long hair and distinctive cowboy boots, he navigated through governmental and regulatory channels, advocating for his ambitious project.

Overcoming numerous obstacles was a hallmark of Strang’s endeavor. He faced safety, planning, and political challenges, all while managing the financial implications of such an ambitious venture. A significant setback occurred when Historic Environment Scotland raised concerns about the demolition of a radar station deemed “a monument of national significance.” Ultimately, the organization withdrew its objection after recognizing the strategic importance of the spaceport to the UK’s aerospace ambitions.

The Civil Aviation Authority granted a license to Saxa Vord Spaceport in 2023, with the first launch scheduled for the coming months. The facility has attracted international clients from both civil and military sectors, highlighting its significance on the global stage.

Strang’s cancer diagnosis, received just two months before his passing, prevented him from witnessing the fruition of his vision. He initially purchased the Saxa Vord RAF base, which closed in 2006, alongside his then-wife, Debbie Hope. The site was repurposed into an eco-tourism center, featuring accommodation, a restaurant, and a bar. Strang also diversified his business interests, providing services for oil workers at the Sullom Voe terminal and establishing the UK’s most northerly gin distillery on Unst in 2014.

The transformative idea for a spaceport emerged following the UK government’s commissioning of the Sceptre report, which identified the Shetland Islands as ideal for orbital access, despite logistical challenges. In 2017, Strang, alongside former RAF fighter pilot Scott Hammond, founded the Shetland Space Centre, which was later renamed Saxa Vord Spaceport in 2021.

Strang’s efforts were not without competition, as the Scottish government backed a different site on the Sutherland mainland. However, Anders Holch Povlsen, a Danish businessman with significant interests in the region, shifted his support from the Sutherland option to Saxa Vord, providing crucial backing. Povlsen emphasized Strang’s resilience, stating, “Against the odds, and with many headwinds, even a few unfair ones, he built the solid foundations of what will likely become Europe’s largest commercial spaceport.”

Following Strang’s death, Scott Hammond succeeded him as chief executive. Hammond expressed determination to establish the UK as a leader in vertical launch spaceflight, reinforcing Strang’s legacy in the process.

Beyond his entrepreneurial spirit, Strang had a rich personal history. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 3, 1958, he was the son of Tom and Barbara, both educators. Following his mother’s passing when he was 13, Strang and his family returned to the Scottish Highlands. He completed his education at Dingwall Academy and graduated in physical education from Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow.

Strang joined the RAF as a physical education officer, where he later earned an MBE for charitable fundraising before leaving due to a parachuting injury. His first business venture involved promoting New England as a winter sports destination for UK skiers, leading him to explore similar opportunities in the UK.

Maggie Sandison, Chief Executive of the Shetland Islands Council, highlighted Strang’s commitment to community engagement, noting his initiatives to create educational opportunities for young people interested in space. While Strang separated from Debbie Hope two years ago, he married Dani Morey shortly before his passing. He is survived by his new wife and two children from his first marriage, Tom and Emily.

Frank Strang’s legacy will continue as Saxa Vord Spaceport stands poised to become a significant player in the European space industry, a testament to his vision and perseverance.