Orbex

Orbex (Orbital Express Launch Ltd.) is a United Kingdom-based aerospace company headquartered in Forres, Moray, Scotland, with subsidiaries in Denmark and Germany, developing the Prime and Proxima orbital launch vehicles. Orbex is the only UK-owned launch services company in the UK. In January 2025, the UK Government made its first-ever direct investment in a space launch company, investing £20 million and becoming a shareholder in Orbex as part of its £23 million Series D fundraising. The Prime rocket, a 19-meter two-stage vehicle powered by renewable bio-propane fuel, is designed to transport small satellites into Low Earth Orbit with significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to similarly sized rockets. Prime will launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. Orbex expects to launch its first Prime rocket toward the end of 2025. In July 2025, ESA preselected Orbex along with four other European companies for its European Launcher Challenge with funding up to €169 million per company.