Space port founder diagnosed with terminal cancer

The driving force behind Shetland's space port is taking a "step back" from the project after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Frank Strang bought a former RAF radar station on Unst about 17 years ago and there was an intention to turn it into an eco-tourism attraction.

But the plan changed when the UK government was looking for potential sites for vertical launches of small rockets carrying satellites.

Mr Strang told BBC Scotland News he was not stepping down completely and was determined to see his vision through to the first launch, which is expected later this year.

SaxaVord UK Space Port is the first fully licensed vertical launch space port in Europe.

Mr Strang, who was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus about four weeks ago, said he had been given a life expectancy of six months to two years.

The 67-year-old, who lives in Grantown-on-Spey in the Highlands, said: "I feel a bit like I've been hit by a steam train."

But he added: "We've all seen stories of people who have been diagnosed with a few months and five or six years later they are still going.

"The bottom line is we don't know what the end result will be."

Mr Strang said his "incredible team" would continue his legacy.

He also said Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen - Scotland's richest man who owns large areas of land in the Highlands - had pledged to support the project through to its completion.

Mr Holch Povlsen had previously supported the space port.

Mr Strang said: "One of the reasons for our success is the incredible support I have been afforded by Anders Povlsen.

"His team is very much part of the DNA and success of the project."

Last year, the project secured £10m of UK government funding.

A number of companies plan to use SaxaVord.

In February, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), from Germany, were thought to have the most advanced plans and it is officially licensed for spaceflight.

During an RFA launch test, a rocket engine exploded at the spaceport last August.

The company said no one was injured and the launch pad had been "saved and is secured".

RFA's Jorn Spurmann described it at the time as a "big and wonderful image" which had resulted in "a lot of learning".

Another company Orbex, based in Forres in north-east Scotland, announced in December last year it had switched its first launch from Sutherland Spaceport to SaxaVord.