UK-based small launch developer Orbex has received another round of funding from Scotland’s national bank and other investors as it prepares for its inaugural orbital launch. Founded in 2015, Orbex is among the companies vying to develop the next generation of European launch vehicles, filling the void left by the retirement of the Ariane 5 and delays to the Ariane 6 and Vega C rockets. The company’s Prime microlauncher, a two-stage vehicle standing at 19 meters tall, is designed to carry payloads up to 180 kilograms, positioning Orbex in a favorable market with growing demand for satellite launches into low Earth orbit (LEO).
What is Orbex?
Orbex CEO Philip Chambers highlighted the positive market conditions for the company’s product, emphasizing the demand for sovereign launch capabilities in Europe. Prime is set to launch from a new spaceport in Sutherland, northern Scotland, with funding assistance from the UK’s national space agency. The company plans to incorporate its patented recovery technology, REFLIGHT, which involves an interstage structure that facilitates a soft ocean splashdown after booster detachment.
While Orbex has hinted at the possibility of developing a larger vehicle in the future, Chambers emphasized that Prime is the current priority. However, he noted that many of the rocket’s core technologies could be scaled to support larger payloads, suggesting potential expansion in Orbex’s offerings. The company’s Series D funding round, totaling £16.7 million ($20.7 million), will support the further development of Prime and ensure readiness for its launch phase, though a firm launch date has yet to be announced.
