Frank Strang, Visionary Entrepreneur Behind SaxaVord Spaceport, Dies at 67

Frank Strang, a pioneering entrepreneur known for establishing SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, passed away on August 13, 2025, at the age of 67 after a battle with oesophageal cancer. Strang’s vision transformed a former RAF radar station on Unst into the first licensed spaceport for vertical launches in western Europe, marking a significant milestone for the UK’s space industry.

Strang’s journey began a decade earlier when he acquired a disused radar station in the Shetland Islands, initially without any plans for a spaceport. However, by 2017, he recognized the site’s potential as the UK government sought to enhance its launch capacities. His ability to navigate complex regulatory and financial landscapes was crucial in advocating for the Saxa Vord base.

Overcoming obstacles was a hallmark of Strang’s approach. He faced significant challenges, including objections from Historic Environment Scotland, which deemed the site a “monument of national significance.” Ultimately, the agency acknowledged the project’s national importance, allowing progress to continue. In 2023, the Civil Aviation Authority granted a license for SaxaVord Spaceport, with the first launch anticipated in the coming months.

Strang’s relentless pursuit of his vision was matched by a strong commitment to community engagement. The site, which features 23 houses, evolved into an eco-tourism hub, complete with accommodation, a restaurant, and a bar. Strang also diversified his business interests, providing accommodation and catering for oil workers at the Sullom Voe terminal and establishing the UK’s northernmost gin distillery in 2014.

The turning point for Strang came when the UK government commissioned the Sceptre report, which identified the Shetland Islands as having the best orbital access for a vertical launch site. Despite logistical challenges, Strang, along with former RAF fighter pilot Scott Hammond, founded Shetland Space Centre in 2017, later renamed SaxaVord Spaceport in 2021.

Strang’s efforts were bolstered by support from influential figures, including Danish businessman Anders Holch Povlsen. Initially backing a competing site on the Sutherland mainland, Povlsen eventually shifted his support to SaxaVord, helping to secure necessary investments. “Against the odds,” Povlsen stated, “he built the solid foundations of what will likely become Europe’s largest commercial spaceport.”

Following Strang’s death, Scott Hammond, who succeeded him as chief executive, reaffirmed the commitment to making the UK a leader in vertical launch spaceflight. “That will be Frank’s legacy for Shetland, for Scotland, and the UK,” Hammond emphasized.

Strang was born on August 3, 1958, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His father, Tom, was a physical education teacher, and his mother, Barbara, also an educator, passed away when he was just 13. After moving to the UK and completing his education at Dingwall Academy, Strang graduated from Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow with a degree in physical education.

His career included a stint in the Royal Air Force, where he served as a physical education officer. Strang’s community-focused initiatives earned him an MBE for charitable fundraising in 1994. Following an injury in a parachuting accident, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, initially promoting New England as a winter sports destination.

Strang’s business ventures led him back to the UK, where his most impactful decision was acquiring the Saxa Vord site. The Shetland Islands Council’s chief executive, Maggie Sandison, highlighted Strang’s commitment to education, noting how he created opportunities for young people to engage with space exploration through programs involving astronauts and national competitions.

Strang is survived by his wife, Dani Morey, and his two children from his first marriage, Tom and Emily. His legacy, marked by determination and innovation, will continue to inspire future generations in the field of space exploration and beyond.