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Britain Invests £20 Million in Orbex to Boost Space Industry Ambitions

Prime Highlights: 

Designed to transport small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). 

19 meters in length, making it a medium-sized rocket. 

Powered by bio-propane, a renewable fuel, resulting in up to 96% fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional rockets using fossil fuels. 

Orbex plans to launch Prime for the first time by the end of 2025. 

Key Background: 

The UK government has announced a £20 million ($24.8 million) investment in Orbex, a Scottish spaceflight startup, as part of the company’s latest funding round. The investment, revealed at the European Space Conference in Brussels on January 29, is designed to support the company’s mission to rival major players like SpaceX. 

Orbex, which specializes in developing small and medium-sized rockets, plans to launch its first spacecraft, Prime, by late 2025. The Prime rocket, measuring 19 meters in length, is intended to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit. The startup’s use of bio-propane, a renewable form of propane, to fuel its rockets emphasizes its commitment to sustainability, with studies suggesting Prime’s emissions will be up to 96% lower than traditional rocket launches using fossil fuels. 

This investment is part of the UK government’s broader strategy to enhance the country’s space capabilities and establish regular launches of UK-made rockets from British soil. UK Tech Minister Peter Kyle emphasized that supporting Orbex will “turbocharge” the nation’s position in the global space sector. Orbex CEO Phillip Chambers expressed confidence that the investment would not only support the first rocket launch later this year but also pave the way for the development of larger rockets to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. 

Orbex joins other European startups, including Skyrora and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), in vying for a share of the burgeoning space industry. These companies, which specialize in microlauncher rockets, are positioning themselves as alternatives to major players like SpaceX, with a focus on sustainability and reduced emissions. As the UK and Europe expand their space ambitions, Orbex’s success could signal a significant step forward in the region’s sovereignty within the space sector.