Leap signs non-binding MoU to launch from Scotland’s Sutherland Spaceport

Leap, a Colorado startup developing mass-producible launch vehicles, signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Highlands and Islands Enterprise on Nov. 5, 2026, to develop recurring launch operations at Sutherland Spaceport in northern Scotland. Sutherland would be Leap’s first launch location outside the United States and the company’s base for European customers.

The memorandum of understanding is non-binding, and any future launch operations or commercial commitments remain subject to technical assessment, regulatory approval and final commercial agreements. No launch date, investment amount or job total has been announced for Sutherland operations.

Leap plans to begin Sutherland operations with its Bullfrog vehicle, recently tested in the Mojave Desert, before progressing to Bighorn suborbital, point-to-point and orbital missions and a recurring launch cadence. Leap’s long-term goal for Sutherland is a regular launch cadence rather than a one-off flight. “Sutherland is an ideal starting point for a network that begins in Europe,” Chris Beckman said.

Bullfrog made its first flight in May from the Friends of Amateur Rocketry pad in Mojave, California, reaching about 40 kilometres and flying less than 30 hours after arriving on site. Bullfrog is a reusable single-stage rocket that first flew from the Mojave Desert in May.

Leap is targeting 2028 for Bighorn’s first orbital flight. Bullfrog and Bighorn from Leap support commercial and national-security missions, covering orbital delivery, point-to-point logistics, hypersonic testing and targets.

Each Leap modular factory is designed to build more than 30 vehicles a year, and its launch equipment is modular, transportable and containerised so capacity can be deployed wherever customers require it.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise bought the spaceport’s assets from liquidators in August 2026 and holds a 75-year lease on the land under development as Sutherland Spaceport. Orbex, Sutherland Spaceport’s previous operator, halted construction in December 2024 and entered administration in February 2026 after receiving more than £70 million ($94 million USD) in public funding. Sutherland Spaceport Ltd went into compulsory liquidation in June 2026 following Orbex’s collapse.

The Sutherland site is on the A’ Mhòine peninsula near Tongue in Scotland’s north-west Highlands, on land owned by the Melness Crofters Estate. Proposed infrastructure includes a 10.4-acre site with a 2.5-kilometer access road. The site also has an inherited launch pad, hardstanding and an approximately 1.5-mile access road.

A launch development workstream under the MoU will bring Leap and HIE together to build a practical route to Leap launches. The dedicated workstream is part of a non-binding collaboration framework; broader discussions cover manufacturing, testing, supply chains, recruitment and universities across the Highlands and Islands.

Leap has held discussions with the UK Space Agency, Civil Aviation Authority and Scottish Government, visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, Machrihanish and sites around Inverness, and first announced UK ambitions at Space-Comm Glasgow in 2025.

David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects at HIE, said HIE looks forward to a productive partnership. “This MOU with LEAP is a significant step forward for the site,” Oxley said.

Stephen Flynn, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, welcomed the agreement as good news for Scotland’s space sector and for Highlands and Islands businesses and communities.

Dorothy Pritchard, chair of the Melness Crofters Estate, welcomed Leap as a potential launch operator and said a successful spaceport would create opportunities beyond launches alone. “We believe their presence here will be an important step towards establishing a thriving and sustainable spaceport,” Pritchard said.

Dr Natasha Nicholson, CEO of Space Scotland, said the partnership could deliver real economic value for communities in the Highlands and Islands. “could deliver real economic value,” Nicholson said.

HIE says worldwide demand exists for modern launch facilities and that Sutherland is perfectly positioned to help establish Scotland as a major center of European spaceflight. HIE acquired the Sutherland Spaceport Ltd assets in August after Orbex’s collapse and liquidation and has since been seeking a new operator for the site.

EU Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius warned in September 2026 that EU programs alone will require 62 launches by 2034 as launch capacity falls behind demand. Kubilius said Ariane is scheduled to fly ten times a year, yet the EU projects it will need 14 Ariane launches in 2031.

Kubilius said Europe accounts for 11% of global public space investment compared with 60% for the United States, and the Commission proposed €131 billion for defence and space in the 2028-2034 EU budget.

Vega faces a launch gap, with eight launches needed in 2030 against a planned six a year. ESA signed €543.6 million in European Launcher Challenge contracts in August with Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg and PLD Space, which received €158.9 million. ESA’s European Launcher Challenge backs smaller providers.

The UK has yet to host a vertical launch, and SaxaVord in Shetland holds the country’s only full vertical spaceport license, with approval for up to 30 rocket launches a year. Rocket Factory Augsburg moved its RFA One rocket to the SaxaVord pad in July, but its first flight is delayed. Isar Aerospace completed the first commercial launch from European soil from Andøya in Norway on September 5, 2026.

Scottish space businesses generated £381 million (€456.8 million) in income and now employ more than 7,000 people, against a government target of 20,000 jobs. Glasgow produces more small satellites than any other place in Europe, while Scotland holds around one-fifth of all UK space jobs.

The UK space industry brought in £18.6 billion (€22.3 billion) in income and employed 55,550 people in 2022-23. Ministers committed £2.8 billion (€2.9 billion) to the UK Space Agency through 2029-30.

Valentin Benoit, CEO of French rideshare firm RIDE!, told Via Satellite that launch capacity is scarce and launch prices are unlikely to fall.