Orbex Space is a UK-based, private launch services company focused on serving the small satellite industry. They are developing the Orbex Prime, a micro-launch vehicle designed for low-Earth orbit satellite deployment, utilizing innovative and sustainable bio-propane fuel. While initially planning to launch from Sutherland Spaceport, Orbex has shifted its launch operations to SaxaVord Spaceport. Orbex's key partners and customers include the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, and companies like Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd and Astrocast.
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Orbex is developing a small launch vehicle called Prime.
Orbex entered into talks to sell the rest of its operations to European space logistics startup The Exploration Company on 21 January.
Orbex and The Exploration Company signed a Letter of Intent and began negotiations regarding a potential purchase.
An attempt to sell Orbex to a private consortium was unable to raise sufficient capital, according to a source who spoke to European Spaceflight.
The Exploration Company considers Orbex and The Exploration Company to be complementary businesses.
ESA Member States committed €34.9 million to Orbex during the agency’s Ministerial Council meeting in November 2025 as part of its European Launcher Challenge, including €8 million from Denmark.
On 21 January Orbex published a press release that a letter of intent had been signed, that negotiations had begun, and that transaction details remain confidential.
Companies House shows Orbex is overdue in filing its 2024 financial accounts, which were due on 31 December 2025.
Orbex’s Danish subsidiary, Orbital Express Launch ApS, is set to file for bankruptcy.
UK-based Orbital Express Launch (Orbex) established its business in Denmark in October 2016.
In January 2025 the UK government invested £20 million in Orbex and Orbex reported its Series D funding totalled £23 million.
Orbex is based in Scotland with engine development facilities in Denmark and had originally sought to develop a launch site in northern Scotland before deciding to use SaxaVord Spaceport.
The European Space Agency preselected Rocket Factory Augsburg, Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, Orbex, and PLD Space as challengers for the European Launcher Challenge in July.
Orbex won UK Space Agency funding in 2018 as part of plans to establish a northern Scotland spaceport.
The United Kingdom committed €144 million overall to the European Launcher Challenge but allocated only €21.7 million to Orbex and €10 million to Rocket Factory Augsburg, leaving €112.3 million unallocated.
Orbex secured a £20 million investment from the UK government and a launch services agreement with D-Orbit.
Member states pledged €902.2 million as part of the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) to fund five launch companies: Germany's Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), France's Maiaspace, Spain's PLD Space, and the UK's Orbex.
The UK pledged €21.7 million of its total €144 million ELC contribution to the local launcher Orbex, while holding most funds in an account labeled 'to be distributed.'
Germany also committed €4.2 million to Maiaspace, €1.8 million to Orbex, and €100,000 to PLD Space.
Czech Republic is contributing 200,000 euros to ensure opportunities for its industry in the supply chain of Orbex.