Orbex

CAUTION - COMPANY INSOLVENT: Orbex entered insolvency and ceased operations in February 2026 after a failed acquisition, withdrawing from the ESA European Launcher Challenge. Orbex (Orbital Express Launch Ltd.) is a UK-based private space launch company founded in 2015 or 2016. Headquartered in Forres, Scotland, with additional facilities in Denmark, Orbex specializes in low-cost, low-carbon orbital launch services for the small satellite industry. The company is developing the Orbex Prime, a 19-meter micro-launch vehicle designed to deliver payloads of up to 150 kg to low Earth orbit. This vehicle features advanced materials and 3D-printed engines, utilizing renewable bio-propane propellant to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Orbex operates from the Sutherland Spaceport, the world's first carbon-neutral spaceport, and aims to conduct up to 12 launches per year. The company has secured substantial funding to support its research and development efforts, with commercial launches targeted for 2025. Orbex emphasizes environmental leadership in aerospace and holds active patents for its rocket technology in Europe and the US. The company is recognized for its innovative approach and has received support from various governmental and industry partners.