U.K.-based small launch vehicle developer Orbex has received a new boost from the Scottish National Bank and other investors as it prepares for its first orbital launch, although that mission still has no fixed date.
Founded in 2015, Orbex is one of a handful of companies working to develop the next generation of European launchers. These companies are seeking to fill the void left by the retirement of Ariane 5 and the significant delays of the Ariane 6 and Vega C rockets; the absence of these vehicles means that there is virtually no native launch capability from Europe.
But this absence also means an opportunity for Orbex. The company is developing what is sometimes called a microlauncher: a two-stage vehicle called Prime that stands just 19 meters tall, designed to carry payloads of up to 180 kilograms. The closest comparison is Rocket Lab’s Electron, which is a meter shorter but can carry up to 300 kilograms.
For Orbex, this small size is an advantage, not a disadvantage, and Orbex CEO Philip Chambers told TechCrunch via email that the company is seeing “positive market conditions” for its product.
“We are seeing exponential growth in the number of satellites launched in LEO and launch demand far exceeds supply. Currently it is not possible to launch a single kilogram from Europe and there are pent-up demand for sovereign launch capabilities,” he said. said. “We will provide freedom of action for European customers to control their own launches and launch European payloads from European soil.”
Prime will launch from a new spaceport in Sutherland, northern Scotland, which is being built with the help of funding from Britain’s national space agency. The goal is to eventually incorporate a patented recovery technology the company calls REFLIGHT. This is an interstage structure located between the stages of the rocket; Once the booster is detached, four “petals” will unfold and, along with a parachute, create enough drag to allow a smooth landing in the ocean.
A larger vehicle could eventually be planned as well, although Chambers made it clear that Prime was the company’s first priority. However, he said many of this rocket’s core technologies could evolve to support larger payloads.
“The laws of physics dictate that if you want to compete on cost per kg, you have to do it with bigger vehicles. So I think it makes sense that Orbex would consider this. »
The company is launching its Series D with new funding of £16.7 million ($20.7 million), with additional contributions from Octopus Ventures, BGF, Heartcore, EIFO and others. The new capital comes after Orbex closed a £40.4 million ($50 million) investment. Series C in October 2022. Although a spokesperson confirmed that the new funding “will help Orbex accelerate the development of Prime…to ensure full availability and scalability for its launch period,” a firm launch window has not yet been announced.
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