General Atomics

SaxaVord strengthens ops with new appointments

SaxaVord Spaceport has bolstered its growing team with two new senior appointments in operations as it prepares for first launch, with Ian Palmer joining as Director of Operations and Nadine Armiger-Drake as Spaceport Operations Manager.



Above: Nadine and Ian being welcomed on site by CEO Scott Hammond (centre).
Courtesy SaxaVord 

 
Both bring a wealth of skills, expertise and knowledge that will be invaluable to the company as it transitions from developmental to operational phase.
 
Ian began his career in the RAF as a weapons technician and among other roles served as a lead engineer officer on 14 Squadron Tornados, leaving after 23 years to join GE as senior business operations manager.
 
He then moved into the whisky industry with William Grant & Sons and Whyte & Mackay before joining LevertonHELM as director of engineering and operations in the UK.
 
Nadine was the programme lead for secure infrastructure projects (counter-terrorism/counter-espionage) for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Offices Services Agency, most recently leading complex and award-winning RAF secure infrastructure projects in challenging environments globally.
 
Her first project for projects in remote and challenging locations for the RAF was the re-installation of the radar at RRH Saxa Vord in 2017-18. Prior to that she lived and worked in Japan, Syria and Belgium.
 
Ian said: “I am absolutely delighted to have joined the team at SaxaVord Spaceport, and look forward to leading the operations team as we prepare for the first launch and beyond.”
 
Nadine said: “It’s great to be back at Saxa Vord in such an exciting role, preparing for what will be a historic first European vertical rocket launch. I’m thrilled for what this will mean for the UK, and for the STEM opportunities it could bring for our next generation of space pioneers.”
 
Saxa CEO Scott Hammond added: “We are all pleased to welcome Ian and Nadine to the team – I am sure with their skills and experience they will make enormous contributions as we move into the operational phase of the business.”

Related

Riyadh Air suspends flagship London and Manchester flights following airport attacks
Riyadh Air Boeing 787 at London Heathrow Airport in the sun
Riyadh Air suspends flagship London and Manchester flights following airport attacks
The closure of Riyadh’s main airport has disrupted the Saudi carrier’s UK connections, just weeks after it added Manchester to its growing network.
Aerospace

12 Oct 2026

Quieter drones could still face noise backlash as UK prepares for BVLOS expansion
A drone flies with a package on delivery past residential houses.
Quieter drones could still face noise backlash as UK prepares for BVLOS expansion
The CAA wants early action on flight patterns, community engagement and noise assessment to help emerging aviation services grow without creating avoidable disturbance.
Aerospace

12 Oct 2026

NCC to lead business support for Greater South West robotics hub
GSWRAH
NCC to lead business support for Greater South West robotics hub
The UK's National Composites Centre (NCC) is to going to help businesses across the Greater South West navigate the challenges and opportunities of robotics and automation through a new £9.8 million regional programme.
Aerospace Defence

12 Oct 2026

ITURRI unveils GRITSTONE for British Army Light Mobility Vehicle programme
ITURRI GRITSTONE for the british army LMV programme
ITURRI unveils GRITSTONE for British Army Light Mobility Vehicle programme
The proposal has been developed specifically to meet the future mobility requirements of the British Armed Forces for an LMV to replace its existing Land Rovers.
Defence

12 Oct 2026

BAE Systems to produce new ACV variant for US Marine Corps
ACV
BAE Systems to produce new ACV variant for US Marine Corps
Under a $230 million contract, BAE Systems will adapt its modular Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) design to produce a new variant that will complement the US Marine Corps’ advanced amphibious capabilities.
Defence Member News

12 Oct 2026

Voyant demonstrates GNSS-denied navigation in MoD maritime trial
Kraken K3 Scout
Voyant demonstrates GNSS-denied navigation in MoD maritime trial
Could autonomous vessels operate without GPS? A UK Ministry of Defence trial saw a Kraken K3 Scout navigate the Solent using Voyant's PNT software.
Defence Member News

12 Oct 2026

UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
Satellite in Earth orbit
Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
In a project co-funded by the European Space Agency Business Applications and Space Solutions (ESA BASS) and supported by the UK Space Agency, Excelerate Technology will build and demonstrate how space-enabled assets can provide innovative safety and security solutions, including protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) at a site in the UK.
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
ESA Argonaut
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
As Europe prepares to return to the Moon, British-developed LEIA LiDAR technology will help ESA's Argonaut lander autonomously identify safe touchdown zones on the lunar surface.
Space

5 Oct 2026

UK steps up AI cyber defences as minister warns dependence is a national security risk
Engineering team implements digital guardrails on autonomous AI agent to limit risk, Teamworking tech startup colleagues apply artificial intelligence safety constraints, brainstorming, camera A.
UK steps up AI cyber defences as minister warns dependence is a national security risk
The UK plans to expand AI-powered cyber protection and prepare for incidents involving autonomous systems, while calling for stronger UK technology capabilities.
Security

12 Oct 2026

UK opens weapons test ranges to SMEs as hypersonic testing investment advances
Project Safari hypersonics testing opens at QinetiQ MOD Hebridies for UK defence SMEs
UK opens weapons test ranges to SMEs as hypersonic testing investment advances
The MoD is easing SME access to UK weapons test ranges through Project Safari while advancing hypersonic missile testing plans at MOD Hebrides.
Defence Security

12 Oct 2026

Avon Protection secures US military order for MITR System
Avon Protection’s MITR System
Avon Protection secures US military order for MITR System
The United States Department of War (DoW) has placed an order for Avon Protection’s MITR System for its Special Operations Forces, becoming the second Five Eyes (FVEY) nation to adopt the system.