Skyrora successfully test-fired the upper stage of its XL rocket for 450 seconds at its test site in Fife. The test was a full flight-ready test to simulate an actual launch, including three firings of the engine and full operation of its software and avionics. The upper stage will sit at the top of the 22-meter-high Skyrora XL rocket, which will be able to release satellites weighing up to 315 kilograms.

The company hopes to launch the XL rocket as soon as 2022. They are now preparing to launch its larger Skylark L vehicle in the first half of 2021, which measures about 12 meters in length and was tested last year.

Skyrora uses a unique mobile launching platform, which it says enables it to be flexible with its launch site selection, but it will depend on which site is available first.