What Orbex Space does

Orbex Space (Orbital Express Launch Ltd) was a UK-based space transportation company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Forres, Moray, Scotland. The company developed Prime, a 19-meter, two-stage microlauncher designed to deliver small satellites — payloads up to 150 kg — into low Earth orbit. Prime was differentiated by its use of patented renewable bio-propane propulsion, positioning Orbex among the more carbon-efficient small-satellite launch vehicles in development. Orbex had not completed an orbital launch prior to entering administration in February 2026.

The company secured commercial launch commitments from small-satellite and constellation operators, with Surrey Satellite Technology publicly identified as the maiden-voyage payload customer. Orbex pursued a sales-led, direct-contract B2B go-to-market, with planned operations from a purpose-built Ultra-Green Launch Complex at Sutherland Spaceport in northern Scotland (designed for up to 12 launches per year) and a heads-of-terms arrangement with SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland as an alternative range. Customer segments targeted small satellite operators, satellite constellation operators, and government/institutional buyers seeking sovereign UK-based launch capacity.

Orbex raised approximately £138.5 million in total funding across multiple rounds between 2017 and 2025, including £76.7 million in public investment from the UK Government (£26m), the Scottish National Investment Bank (£29m), the UK Space Agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the European Space Agency (under the Boost! initiative and European Launcher Challenge). Operating losses nearly doubled to £17.4 million by year-end 2023 as the company approached, but never reached, first flight. Following the failure of its January 2025 Series D round to close full size and the collapse of an acquisition letter of intent with The Exploration Company, the company filed for administration on 11 February 2026 with all 163 roles made redundant by 18 February 2026; over £70 million of public investment is at risk of write-off.

Name

Orbex Space

Legal name

Orbital Express Launch Ltd

Website

https://orbex.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Orbex Space was a UK-based small-satellite launch services company developing the Prime two-stage microlauncher with renewable bio-propane propulsion and the Sutherland Ultra-Green Launch Complex, targeting small-satellite operators, constellation operators, and government customers before entering administration in February 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Satellite Launch Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK), Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

Keywords

• Small satellite launch
• Orbital launch services
• Microlauncher vehicles
• Low earth orbit
• Bio-propane propulsion

Headquarters

HQ city

Forres

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Orbital Launch Services: Orbex generated revenue through providing orbital launch services for small satellites using its Prime rocket. The company secured commercial launch commitments from satellite customers and planned to launch from UK spaceports, charging customers for dedicated launch capacity.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Orbex Space designed, manufactured, and sold dedicated orbital launch services for small satellites using its proprietary Prime microlauncher rocket — a 19-meter, two-stage vehicle powered by patented renewable bio-propane fuel with up to 150kg payload capacity to low Earth orbit. The company was also developing the Ultra-Green Launch Complex, a carbon-neutral spaceport at Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland designed to support up to 12 launches per year, providing sovereign UK launch capability for commercial and institutional satellite customers.

Product overview

Orbex Space was a UK-based space technology company offering orbital launch services through its Prime microlauncher rocket and the development of the Ultra-Green Launch Complex at Sutherland Spaceport. The Prime rocket was a 19-meter, two-stage vehicle designed to deploy small satellites into low Earth orbit using patented environmentally-friendly renewable bio-propane fuel technology. The company aimed to position the UK as a hub for space launches. Note: Orbex entered administration in February 2026 after failing to secure additional funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prime Rocket

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SkyroraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026Skyrora, another UK space company, announced it was considering acquiring some of Orbex's assets including the Sutherland Spaceport, with an investment of up to £10 million. Skyrora positioned itself as potentially acquiring Orbex's assets to preserve UK space capability.
• The Exploration CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Orbital Express Launch Ltd (Orbex) signed a letter of intent to be acquired by The Exploration Company, a German spacecraft developer. However, these acquisition talks ultimately collapsed in February 2026, contributing to Orbex's administration filing.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2023Orbex received £3.3 million from the UK Space Agency under ESA's Boost! initiative to develop the Ultra-Green Launch Complex at Sutherland Spaceport. Orbex was also selected as one of five companies eligible for up to €169 million in ESA's European Launcher Challenge funding, though it ultimately received €34.9 million before withdrawing from the program upon bankruptcy.
• SaxaVord SpaceportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrbex had agreed heads of terms with SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland as an alternative launch site to Sutherland. SaxaVord indicated it would continue with other clients as Orbex had not yet started on site before its collapse.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Isar Aerospace: German small-launch startup developing the Spectrum rocket for dedicated small-satellite launches, comparable to Orbex in scale, funding stage, and European institutional backing.
• PLD Space: Spanish launch startup developing Miura 1 and Miura 5 suborbital/orbital small launchers. Closely comparable European competitor targeting the same small-satellite customer segment.
• Firefly Aerospace: US small/medium launch startup developing the Alpha and Beta rockets, comparable in mission profile to Orbex Prime and operating in a similar capital-intensive pre-revenue phase with significant government and commercial anchor customers.
• Rocket Lab: Operates the Electron small-satellite launch vehicle and is developing Neutron, providing dedicated small-payload launch services from its own spaceports. Closest direct comparator to Orbex Prime in mission profile, customer base, and operational model.
• Astra Space: US small-launch company that developed the Rocket small-satellite launch vehicle. Highly comparable in mission profile (dedicated small-payload launch) and has itself undergone significant retrenchment, illustrating sector capital pressures.
• ABL Space Systems: US small launch startup developing the RS1 rocket for dedicated small-satellite missions. Comparable in target market and operational model to Orbex, though with distinct launch-site economics.
• Skyrora: UK-based small launch vehicle developer building the Skyrora XL orbital rocket and is actively pursuing acquisition of Orbex's Sutherland Spaceport and selected assets. Nearest domestic competitor and most likely successor in the UK small-launch landscape.

Broad incumbents

• Arianespace: European heavy/medium launch incumbent operating Vega, Vega-C, and Ariane 6. Provides small-payload rideshare options on Vega that compete with Orbex for European small-satellite launches, though at a different price point and cadence.

Emerging players

• Relativity Space: US launch startup developing the Terran 1/Terran R rockets using 3D-printed manufacturing. Overlaps with Orbex in small/medium launch market and in applying novel manufacturing approaches to launch hardware.
• The Exploration Company: German spacecraft developer that signed a letter of intent to acquire Orbex in Jan 2026 before talks collapsed. Adjacent in the European space ecosystem and represents the most concrete recent strategic-buyer signal for Orbex-style assets.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/orbexspace
• Facebookfacebook.com/OrbexSpace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orbital-express-launch-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors13 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orbex Space