Orbex Space

Orbex Space is a UK-based space launch company, providing launch services for the small satellite industry. The company facilitates the launching of customer satellites to low-earth orbit (LEO), polar orbit, and sun synchronous orbit (SSO) from its spaceport, Space Hub Sutherland located in A’Mhoine peninsula in Scotland. According to the company, its Prime launch vehicle can carry a payload of 180kg (upto 200kg depending on the final destination) and can accommodate various types of payloads ranging from single mini satellites to nano and cube satellites. The company’s first launch was slated for 2023; it would carry an experimental payload from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. Orbex Space is committed to supporting ESA’s Clean Space initiative, and claimed it was developing one of the most environmentally friendly space launch vehicles ever built. Orbex opened its first design facility in Denmark in 2016 and initiated its first engine test in 2017.

In July 2023 ,  Orbex announced plans to expand its Scottish and Danish facilities by over 30% to prepare for the launch of its Prime rocket.

Key customers and partnerships

In 2018, the company was selected by the ESA as its preferred micro launcher project. Orbex is also working with Europe’s largest supplier of bio-propane, Calor, to develop an environmentally friendly launch vehicle supporting its efforts to be carbon-neutral.

Funding and financials

In October 2022, the company raised GBP 40.4 million (~USD 46 million) in a Series C funding round led by the Scottish National Investment Bank with the participation of new and existing investors. The funding was planned to support the company scale up its resources in view of its first launch from the UK and provide additional funding for future projects.