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Astronaut Tim Peake joins Skyrora’s advisory board

Tim Peake will be supporting Skyrora in becoming the UK’s principal company for commercial rocket launches. 
Tim Peake.

Space rocket company Skyrora has announced the addition of British astronaut, Tim Peake to its advisory board. Tim brings the experience of a European Space Agency astronaut, former International Space Station (ISS) crew member, and British Army Air Corps officer as the company continues its development of the Skyrora XL rocket for providing orbital launches by 2023. Skyrora recently conducted a full ground test of its second-largest launch vehicle, making the UK effectively launch-ready. 

After a successful 17-year career in the military and aeronautical industry, Tim Peake joined the European Space Agency astronaut training programme in 2009 and took part in missions such as the ESA CAVES and NEEMO 16.

Volodymyr Levykin, CEO at Skyrora said: “I couldn’t be more excited with Tim joining our advisory board. Tim’s knowledge, insight, and vast experience in the space industry will boost Skyrora’s efforts to become the UK’s premier and principal company for commercial rocket launches. Tim has been at the forefront of the space industry for years. His level of expertise will help us to gain more insight into the rapidly evolving UK space industry and sustain our rapid growth and development.

“As the UK space industry continues to grow rapidly, we must all work together and combine our multidisciplinary efforts to achieve capturing 10% of the global space market by 2030, as targeted by the UK government,” Levykin added. 

Tim Peake, European Space Agency astronaut said: “I’m delighted to be joining Skyrora’s advisory board and helping to support their efforts to develop a commercial rocket launch capability. The UK is well placed to become a key player in meeting the increasing need for small satellite launch opportunities and Skyrora’s innovative ideas and the rapid pace of development make them an extremely exciting company to be working with.”