Volodymyr Levykin

Volodymyr Levykin (born February 1976) is a CEO and founder of UK private space company Skyrora[1][2]

Biography

Levykin graduated from Zaporizhya National Technical University with a Master's degree in Computer Science[3][4][5]

While working in Silicon Valley, Volodymyr decided to move with his family to Edinburgh and start a space startup.[6] Volodymyr founded Skyrora in 2017 in the UK.[7] Private investors were involved in the development of the company.[8]

Volodymyr intends Skyrora to be ecologically-sustainable. He invests in eco-fuel for rockets called Ecosene— made from waste plastics such as polystyrene. [9][10][11]

In 2020, Levykin received environmental recognition from Iceland, where one of the launches took place.[12]

For his sustainability-directed activities, Volodymyr was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year in Aerospace & Defense by The Stevie Awards. [13]

In March 2020, Volodymyr redirected all of Skyrora’s manufacturing and logistical activities to the fight against COVID-19. In partnership with National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Makerspace Paisley (of Paisley YMCA), Skyrora produced CE-certified face visors. Skyrora has repurposed its high-test peroxide (HTP) oxidizer distillation facilities for the mass production of hand sanitizer.

In 2021, Levykin announced the creation of the Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) able to perform satellite removal, refuelling and replacement and debris removal from orbit.[14][9][15][16][17]

Skyrora organized the repatriation of the Black Arrow. Levykin has thrown a gala dinner in honour of this event. He has also taken a leading role in initiating a challenge to find and turn back the British Prospero satellite.[18]

See also

References
  1. "Rocket launch deal signed for Unst space centre". 12 October 2021.
  2. Skyrora. Official page
  3. "A Ukrainian in Britain has created a rival space company for Ilona Mask [Українець в Британії створив космічну компанію-конкурента для Ілона Маска]" (in Ukrainian). news.obozrevatel.com.
  4. "How a Ukrainian builds "British SpaceX" [Як українець будує «британську SpaceX»] – Telegraph" (in Ukrainian). Academy of science of Ukraine.
  5. "Competitor SpaceX: Ukrainian has created a powerful space company [Конкурент SpaceX: українець створив потужну космічну компанію]" (in Ukrainian). gazeta.ua.
  6. Moore, Andy (11 Mar 2019). "Space Spotlight: Skyrora has one incredible secret to share". scotland.org.
  7. Hutton, Georgina (2021-12-14). "The Space Industry Bill 2017-2019". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. "How Skyrora Aims To Be The First Private Company To Launch Into Space From The UK". spacebandits.io. Investment for Skyrora has stemmed from a private group of investors, of which I am included.
  9. "SaxaVord deal puts Skyrora XL rocket on launchpad". theengineer.co.uk. 13 October 2021. For the proposed 2022 UK launch, Skyrora plans to fuel the Skyrora XL rocket with Ecosene, its own sustainable alternative to conventional rocket fuel. Made from waste plastic such as polystyrene, Skyrora believes Ecosene could prevent over 3,000 tons of unrecyclable plastic going to landfill by 2030 through use on Skyrora’s planned flights.
  10. Levykin, Volodymyr (21 March 2021). "The greatest space mission will be tackling climate change and protecting our planet". www.cityam.com.
  11. "The Ian King Business podcast: BoE and Climate, Fintech, Rocket Fuel". news.sky.com.
  12. Murden, Terry. "Rocket firm Skyrora's green credentials recognised".
  13. "Skyrora - Entrepreneur of the Year". stevieawards.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  14. "UK space missions to launch from 2022 as rocket company Skyrora and SaxaVord Spaceport secure landmark deal". news.sky.com. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  15. "Rocket crash highlights need for space clean up". May 19, 2021.
  16. "UK Space Mission Coming Soon In 2022, Promises To Tackle Space Junk!". voi.id. 13 Oct 2021. They have also completed tests of an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), which will be used to help orbit dead satellites that are contributing to the growing amount of space debris around Earth, one of the biggest problems facing the global space industry
  17. "In Britain, a Ukrainian company tested a missile [У Британії компанія українця тестувала ракету]" (in Ukrainian). May 27, 2020.
  18. "Major Tim Peake drops in to show support for Edinburgh rocket firm Skyrora's space junk mission". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
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