Melness Crofters' Estate

We're a community of crofters in Melness, in Sutherland. We want to bring opportunity to the area for future generations.

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

We're proud to unveil our latest series 'People Behind Prime' offering an exclusive glimpse of the individuals behind our journey to launch. First, we introduce Federica our Senior Mission Control & Ground Segment Engineer.
https://t.co/Grw5nB8K6J
#journeytolaunch #LifeAtOrbex

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

Progress at Sutherland Spaceport continues at pace & we're happy to share the latest developments that have taken place over the last few months, working alongside our Principal Contractor, Dynamic Concepts International Ltd & our partner @WeAreOpenreach
https://t.co/Ar5WlrMbyM

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

Journey to Launch - Chapter 003 - Protecting the Land
We're delighted to share the 3rd chapter of our short film series focusing on the important work we're doing to protect the land at Sutherland Spaceport.
https://t.co/I9rKrm19Nf
Thanks to @StirUni
#shortfilm #JourneyToLaunch

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

https://t.co/HZEbU1uwpb

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

This week our 2 new watercourse crossing bridges travelled north to their new home at Sutherland Spaceport! https://t.co/wEGxd5dGfA
Thanks to all those that helped to make it happen: @BridgesBeaver #GrampianContinental Dynamic Concepts
#sustainablespace #LaunchUK #spaceport

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

We are excited to reveal the 1st of our short film series, which will share the story of our journey to the 1st launch of Orbex Prime - we introduce you to Sutherland, home to the 1st vertical launch spaceport to be built on the UK mainland: https://t.co/HYLwlWWFkw
#LaunchUK

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

Orbex has announced the appointment of Lesley Still as its new Chief of Spaceport Operations. This key appointment comes as Orbex advances its preparations for the UK mainland's inaugural vertical rocket launch. Read more: https://t.co/EJShdV2mJE

[Communities Housing Trust @CHTScotland]

📣 Tell us what housing is needed in the #Melness area!

With @MelnessCE, we want to hear from:
- all current residents
- people who wish to return/relocate
- local businesses & service providers
👉Survey: https://t.co/3Eosn8LIQg (Deadline Mon 7 Nov)

#communityled #sutherland

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

We are delighted to announce that we have secured £40.4 million in our Series C funding round led by the @thebankscot, allowing us to scale up our resources as we count down to the first vertical launch from UK soil. Read more about the funding round: https://t.co/XiqwvglhLA

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

Head on over to https://t.co/NDeLZd8Q5x to have a look at their newly updated website which has up to date info on all things rocket and spaceport orientated! @orbexspace

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

Melness Crofters’ Estate wish to pass on their huge congratulations to June Love on being awarded an MBE!
@spacehubsutherland @HIEscotland #thoroughlydeserved

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

Huge congratulations to Orbex. Fantastic to see this progress. An exciting, historic event and we very much look forward to the next step up here in Sutherland @orbexspace @SpaceSutherland @HIEScotland @spacegovuk

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

Today marks an important day for Orbex - we are delighted to unveil the first full-scale prototype of the Prime orbital space rocket on its dedicated launch pad publicly for the first time.

You can view more exclusive images of Orbex Prime here: https://t.co/Rh4J4JCnKd

[UK Space Agency @spacegovuk]

Our CEO @paul_bate has been in Scotland this week, visiting @SpaceSutherland and @orbexspace. 🛰️

With our support, @orbexspace have developed low-mass carbon-fibre fuel tanks to optimise their rockets for launch from @SpaceSutherland next year. 🚀

#LaunchUK

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

This #InternationalWomensDay we wanted to once again recognise the women who make up the Melness Crofters Estate team. Here’s a piece from last year where we introduce some of the women involved in the estate.

#iwd2022 #BreakTheBias

https://t.co/DEK8Y4XeWn

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

We know that many of you want to see more of our 40-tonne launch platform, so here it is just after commissioning at its new home in Kinloss. It allows us to start testing our launch procedures in readiness for our first launch from @SpaceSutherland #LaunchUK

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

Our Launch Platform, built by @MotiveOffshore, made an 80-mile road trip from Peterhead to Kinloss earlier this month. Loaded on the back of 2 huge trucks it travelled through sun, rain & snow on its 3-hour journey and we were on the ground & in the air to capture it for you.

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

Great to see @orbexspace has submitted their launch license application for operating at Space Hub Sutherland. Another milestone as we build towards lift-off!

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

Delighted to announce that we have submitted our application for a launch licence to the @UK_CAA. The licence application process is another key milestone in the journey that will see Orbex begin commercial launches from @SpaceSutherland https://t.co/cuNpY8zwsK

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

It is great to see the first rocket launch pad to be built in the UK arriving at the Orbex test site in Kinloss. A big day for space in Scotland!

[Orbex Space @orbexspace]

It’s been a busy day! The first rocket launch platform to be built in the UK in over 50 years, weighing in excess of 40 tonnes, made an 80-mile journey from Peterhead to the Orbex test site at Kinloss, located close to our headquarters in Forres. https://t.co/RzinaGSTTk

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

Did you know that in 2009 a book of #RobertBurns' poetry was gifted by Scottish students to an astronaut heading for the International Space Station? We wonder what #Burns would have made of the plans to launch rockets from Scotland itself.

[Melness Crofters' Estate @MelnessCE]

Have you managed to get out much this winter and explore our beautiful landscape? If you've taken any photos of our local area we'd love to see them. Tag us @melnessce.