Visionary Entrepreneur Frank Strang Passes Away at 67
Frank Strang, a pioneering entrepreneur known for his role in establishing the first licensed spaceport for vertical launches in western Europe, has passed away at the age of 67 due to oesophageal cancer. Strang’s journey to create the SaxaVord Spaceport on the Shetland Islands exemplified his ability to seize unexpected opportunities and navigate significant challenges.
Strang first acquired a disused RAF radar station at the northernmost point of the Shetland Islands nearly a decade before he realized its potential for space launches. In 2017, as the UK government sought to enhance its launch capabilities, Strang recognized the opportunity to develop the former Saxa Vord base on the island of Unst. He engaged with government officials, regulators, and private investors, advocating for the site despite numerous obstacles.
Overcoming Challenges to Launch
Strang’s determination led him to tackle various hurdles, including safety regulations, planning permissions, and political challenges. One notable obstacle arose from Historic Environment Scotland, which initially objected to the project due to the need to demolish a former radar station deemed “a monument of national significance.” After negotiations, the agency withdrew its objection, acknowledging the spaceport’s national relevance.
SaxaVord Spaceport received its license from the Civil Aviation Authority in 2023, with the first launch expected in the coming months. The facility has attracted international clients from both civil and military sectors, paving the way for significant advancements in the UK’s space industry.
Strang’s vision for the spaceport will not be realized in his lifetime, as his cancer diagnosis came just two months before his death. In addition to the spaceport initiative, he and his then-wife, Debbie Hope, had previously transformed the site into an eco-tourism center, offering accommodation, dining, and a gin distillery, which opened in 2014.
A Lasting Legacy
The turning point for Strang came when the UK government commissioned the Sceptre report, which identified the Shetland Isles as having the best orbital access for space launches, despite its logistical challenges. In 2017, Strang, along with former RAF fighter pilot Scott Hammond, founded the Shetland Space Centre, which was later renamed SaxaVord Spaceport in 2021.
Although the Scottish government initially supported a competing site on the Sutherland mainland, the project faced environmental objections. Anders Holch Povlsen, a Danish businessman and landowner, eventually shifted his support to SaxaVord, emphasizing Strang’s commitment and vision. He stated, “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 passing, Scott Hammond, who succeeded him as chief executive, reaffirmed the commitment to making the UK a leader in vertical launch spaceflight, emphasizing that Strang’s legacy will endure in the development of the spaceport.
Born on 3 August 1958 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Frank Strang spent his early years there before moving to Scotland. He completed his education at Dingwall Academy and graduated with a degree in Physical Education from Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow. After serving as a physical education officer in the RAF, Strang pursued various business ventures, ultimately leading him to the Shetland Islands.
His contributions extended beyond business, as Strang was recognized for his charitable efforts, receiving an MBE for fundraising in 1994. He also coached the Scottish freestyle ski team for five years before focusing on his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Strang is survived by his wife, Dani Morey, and two children from his first marriage, Tom and Emily. His impact on the space industry and local community in the Shetland Islands is expected to resonate for years to come.
