Forres-based orbital launch services company Orbex has announced the extension of its contract with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Boost! Programme and additional funding of €5.6 million.
Orbex in 2020 was awarded the Boost! contract, which is designed to support commercially sustainable space transportation services in Europe.
At the time, it was the largest award made to date by the programme and was matched by additional private investment which has been critical to the development of Orbex’s micro-launcher, Prime.
“This further funding will help Orbex move towards the inaugural launch of Prime next year and continue to support over 200 highly skilled aerospace jobs in the North of Scotland and Denmark,” said Orbex.
“Sustainability is also a core driver in the design of the company’s advanced, low-carbon, high-performance micro-launcher, Orbex Prime.
“Prime is a 19-metre-long rocket designed to launch small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. It has been carefully engineered to leave zero debris in orbit, and is fuelled by a renewable form of propane (bio-propane), meaning it has a carbon footprint up to 96% lower than traditional satellite launch vehicles powered by fossil fuels.”
Orbex CEO Phil Chambers said: “We welcome this further €5.6 million extension of funding from the European Space Agency’s Boost! Programme.
“The initial award made in 2020 has helped us to progress the development of our spaceflight systems.
“This funding extension will enable us to make the vital next step in our journey as we move towards our inaugural launch of our micro-launcher, Orbex Prime next year; these programmes are vital to help realise our shared goal of making the UK a central hub for European space flight.”
Toni Tolker Nielsen, ESA’s Director of Space Transportation, said: “Europe’s emerging commercial launch service providers are pushing towards their first launches, we are very interested to see their rockets deliver, diversifying the European launch services on offer.”
Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch, ISAM and Space Sustainability said: “This new investment in Orbex through ESA’s Boost! Programme highlights the government’s commitment to securing a UK launch capability. It will enable Orbex to accelerate the production of its Prime launch vehicle, supporting high-skilled jobs in Scotland and paving the way for their first launch attempt next year.”
Today’s announcement was made as Space Tech Expo Europe kicks off in Breman and the team are on site in Germany this week to share the Orbex story and meet with potential customers and suppliers.