Tribute paid to UK spaceport pioneer Frank Strang who founded SaxaVord UK - the first fully licensed vertical launch site in Europe
Tributes have been paid to UK spaceport pioneer Frank Strang who passed away on Tuesday.
The prominent Grantown businessman had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer earlier this year.
His wife Dani said: “Frank helped so many in so many ways, broke the mould, ripped up the rule book and lived life fearlessly.
“I'm extremely blessed to have been loved by him.
“We didn't have long enough together but gosh did we make the most of every second!”
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Mr Strang passed away with his wife and children by his side at his home in Grantown.
The entrepreneur first came to prominence nationally as head of the consortium Omniport which acquired Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire and which was later sold for £33.4m
However, his profile has soared in recent years as the chief executive of SaxaVord UK Spaceport based on Unst in The Shetlands.
The remote complex is now established as the first fully licensed vertical launch space port in Europe.
Mrs Strang said: “Frank was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer which eight weeks ago we were told was operable.
“Sadly two weeks later, on the day of surgery, we were told that it was now incurable but treatable and we had a timescale of six to 20 months.
“He was then put forward for, and accepted onto, a clinical trial which should have given us another five years plus.
“I also made contact with a surgeon in London who had treated my cousin when he had the same diagnosis and given three months to live; he's still alive five years later.
“Things were looking brighter. Unfortunately two weeks ago Frank deteriorated rapidly and was admitted to hospital where they told us the cancer had spread exponentially and we were on end of life care.
“Frank came home and died with me by his side.
“He lost a battle that he was never given a chance to fight and leaves a void in the world that can never be filled.”
Mr Strang, a keen skier, was a qualified PE teacher and ex-RAF officer both moving into the world of business.
Last month Glenfeshie laird and the country’s richest man Anders Holch Povlsen pledged his continued support to ensure SaxaVord remained at the forefront of the race to establish Europe’s first commercial space port.
His business partner said at the time: “I’m a fan of Frank. He is someone I admire hugely, for how he has dedicated himself to SaxaVord, to the team around him and to the wider mission, which has never been more important for Scotland, the UK and to Europe.”
Mr Povlsen paid tribute to Mr Strang’s personal and professional qualities.
He said: “Against the odds, and with many headwinds, even a few unfair ones, he has built the solid foundations of what will likely become Europe’s largest commercial space port, supporting a future ‘enlightenment’ for the Shetlands and beyond.”
And Mr Povlsen promised: “No matter what happens, many people including me, are going to stay right behind Frank, doing our outmost to make sure SaxaVord becomes the success it’s set up for.”
The vertical launch site for satellites at Unst also provides a network of ground stations.
They offer services including launch site operations, ground station support, and in-orbit data collection and analysis.
The aim is to support a wide range of launch missions, from small satellites to larger payloads, and provide end-to-end mission support for SaxaVord’s clients.