Orbex recently released a video titled "Chapter 4." The dramatic naming, combined with mysterious background music, voice filters, shadowy engineer discussions, hand gestures, and flashy graphics, felt a bit like a Hollywood movie trailer. The retro-style numbers scrolling on an MS-DOS-like screen made me chuckle! While the presentation is engaging, it’s challenging to focus on their actual products, which seem to flash by too quickly to grasp fully. Nonetheless, their creative marketing approach is certainly attention-grabbing! https://orbex.space/news/journey-to-launch-chapter-004-the-foundation-of-flight
Orbex expects to launch its first Prime rocket towards the end of 2025.
Members of the technical team from Forres-based orbital launch services company, Orbex, recently visited SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland to gather data on its dedicated launch complex to prepare for commercial launch services.The group, representing multiple departments, including Systems, Assembly, Integration and Test, Ground Segment Software, and Health and Safety met with the SaxaVord team to discuss the development of their dedicated complex.Orbex is entering the final preparations of the development of its advanced, low-carbon, high-performance micro-launcher, Orbex Prime. The company is now gearing up to deliver its inaugural launch later this year.Andy Bradford, Chief Technical Officer at Orbex, said: "This is a critical time for Orbex. Visits like these are key to understanding more about our launch complex at SaxaVord and Orbex Prime’s journey into launch. We look forward to building on our partnership with SaxaVord Spaceport to establish Scotland as a leader in the UK space sector."Initial launches will take place from SaxaVord Spaceport, where Orbex has a dedicated launch complex and the ability to launch 10 flights per year.
It puts a different spin on the company's decision to abandon Sutherland: https://europeanspaceflight.com/orbex-betting-the-farm-on-its-european-launcher-challenge-bid/
Orbex, the UK-based orbital launch services company, has today announced a strategic five-year partnership with Exolaunch, a global leader in launch services, mission management, deployment systems and integration services for small satellites.The agreement will see Orbex and Exolaunch collaborate to provide end-to-end launch services for small satellites. Exolaunch will utilise launch capacity and integrate customer payloads with Orbex’s launch vehicles, Prime and the new medium-sized launcher, Proxima, while Orbex will benefit from Exolaunch’s deployment systems, rideshare structures and global market outreach.In addition, Orbex will work with Exolaunch on future Orbex Prime and Proxima missions to address the growing demand for micro and cube satellite launch services. Exolaunch will provide its flight-proven separation systems for cubesats and microsatellites, with its hardware positioned as the deployment solution for Orbex customers across dedicated and rideshare missions.The partnership also includes the use of Exolaunch’s EXOtube, a modular and scalable launch platform designed to optimize satellite constellations’ launch configurations, increase mission flexibility, and enhance vehicle utilisation. The teams will further collaborate on launch campaign planning, satellite integration, and on-site execution support.Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: “This is a truly exciting partnership that marks a significant milestone as we secure industry backing to accelerate the development of our new Proxima launch vehicle. It’s a clear signal of the growing demand for flexible and reliable launch services across Europe.“With Exolaunch’s expertise in mission management and deployment, and our sustainable and flexible launch capabilities, we’re well-positioned to support the evolving needs of satellite operators. Together, we’re helping make access to space more efficient and scalable.”“Orbex brings a compelling mix of innovation and agility to Europe’s growing launch ecosystem, with both Prime and the upcoming Proxima launch vehicles”, said Dr. Robert Sproles, CEO of Exolaunch. “We are proud of this partnership and expect it to expand fast and reliable launch access in the UK and beyond.”“Orbex’s launchers are a strong addition to our roster of launch options and this collaboration strengthens our ability to serve customers looking for dedicated, responsive and sustainable access to orbit. It’s an exciting step forward as more operators become available to support our European and global satellite customers.”
Orbex, the UK-based orbital launch services company, has been pre-selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to take part in its prestigious European Launcher Challenge (ELC).Initiated in November 2023, the ELC programme aims to support the development of new sovereign European launch capabilities. It was created by ESA to promote better European access to space and to increase the competitiveness of European launch services. It provides contractual and financial commitments to launch contracts for ESA programmes and possibly other institutional customers from 2026 to 2030. Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: “Being pre-selected as part of the European Launcher Challenge is a milestone moment - not just for Orbex, but for the UK space sector as a whole. “The benefits go far beyond our own operational roadmap. This recognition strengthens the UK’s global competitiveness, helps create high-value jobs and attract investment, and takes us closer to delivering sovereign launch capabilities - reducing reliance on overseas providers and building real strategic autonomy in space.“For Orbex, it’s a major opportunity to accelerate launch vehicle development and play a central role in shaping Europe’s future in space.”Orbex was selected against a range of criteria including the suitability of its launch vehicle, the robustness of its business case, and the quality and credibility of its technical approach. Read more about the European Launcher Challenge here.
Rocket Factory Augsburg’s kerosene-fueled RFA One has reusability further down its roadmap and is hoped will launch later this year from the UK’s SaxaVord spaceport, while Orbex’s bio-propane driven Prime launcher will launch from the same site no earlier than 2026 now. While expendable, Prime is aiming for a low environmental impact using clean propellants and carbon-neutral operations.
Orbex has for the first time successfully simulated the launch of its Prime vehicle, marking a major technical milestone ahead of bringing orbital launch services to the UK next year. The end-to-end simulation, saw all mission-critical systems - including flight software, engine control and tracking - successfully tested to replicate performance on launch day. Orbex’s avionics, software and GNC (guidance, navigation and control) teams worked together to test the key components responsible for executing every phase of the launch sequence, from countdown to payload deployment. Unlike many other launch vehicles, Prime’s avionics and software systems are developed entirely in-house, giving Orbex full control over systems integration, preventing any delays as a result of reliance on third party suppliers and allowing for seamless iterations. The test also demonstrated successful control of Prime’s patented coaxial tank system, which is a complex design requiring precise software-hardware integration. The coaxial tank structure is central to the design of Prime and enables a uniquely low mass rocket that is around 30 percent lighter than similarly sized launchers. Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: “This is a huge achievement for Orbex and is a demonstration of our progress towards operational launch services. After successfully building our bespoke components, we’re now in the exciting phase of assembling a fully operational launch system.“This feat is testament to the incredible teamwork and coordination across our engineering and ground operations teams in the UK and Denmark. This complex, integrated mission simulation shows the strength and depth of our team, and we’re excited to take one step closer to launch.”Orbex will undertake further simulations to refine the process and prepare for the first test launch – adding further aspects such as pre-launch procedures, countdown, and liftoff. These simulations will help the launch team prepare for various scenarios, troubleshoot potential issues, and ensure they are ready ahead of Orbex Prime’s inaugural launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in 2026.
Orbex, which is based in the Scottish Highlands, secured a fresh £6m loan from Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, just months after getting £20m in funding from her predecessor, Peter Kyle.An Orbex spokesman confirmed it had agreed the funding last month to pursue a £150m contract with the European Space Agency to develop alternatives to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.[...]A government spokesman said: “We are committed to backing our homegrown space sector and making the UK a leading European launching nation.“This investment is made as part of our ongoing relationship with Orbex to achieve this ambition, supporting 150 highly skilled jobs. Our investment will also support the company’s preparations for ESA’s European Launcher Challenge.”
The Orbex team is working tirelessly on our testing programme as we prepare for our first test launch of Orbex Prime. We know many of you are curious about what’s happening behind the scenes and what our Tech teams are working on - so today we’re proud to share a glimpse of the some of the engine testing that’s driving our launch vehicle development forward.
We had a great reaction to our engine test video last week, so, here's a peak at our Prime launch vehicle hardware — a real testament to the skill of our team as we near the first test launch next year.We are preparing every element of the vehicle, with much of the hardware ready now, and the rest in production, or test.
Orbex’s Danish subsidiary, Orbital Express Launch ApS, is set to file for bankruptcy, with its facilities officially closing on 20 January and approximately 90 employees losing their jobs.UK-based Orbital Express Launch (Orbex) established its business in Denmark in October 2016. According to the company, its Copenhagen-based business carried out work in propulsion, testing, software, avionics, and business services.[...]While its Danish business is filing for bankruptcy, the company announced on 21 January that it had entered into talks to sell the rest of its operations to European space logistics startup The Exploration Company. The announcement stated that the companies have signed a Letter of Intent, and negotiations have begun. It added that all details about the potential purchase are confidential at this stage.
