Tag: Orbex
-
Rocket Report: A new estimate of Starship costs; Japan launches spy satellite
Welcome to Edition 6.27 of the Rocket Report! This week, we discuss an intriguing new report looking at Starship. Most fascinating, the report covers SpaceX’s costs to build a Starship and how these costs will come down as the company ramps up its build and launch cadence. At the other end of the spectrum, former…
-
Start of construction paves way for first UK mainland vertical launch
The ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction was attended by a number of officials, including (from left): Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation & Trade, Scottish Government; Kristian von Bengtson, Chief Development Officer & Interim CEO, Orbex; Dorothy Pritchard, Chair, Melness Crofters’ Estate; Bart Markus, Chairman, Orbex; Ian Annett, Deputy CEO, UK…
-
Orbex breaks ground on Sutherland Spaceport as UK prepares to enter domestic launch market
United Kingdom (UK) based spaceflight company Orbex has begun construction at the Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland. Set to host launches of Orbex’s Prime rocket, Sutherland is the UK mainland’s first vertical launch site. With another vertical-launch site at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetlands, and Spaceport Cornwall’s horizontal-launch options, the UK is finally ramping up its…
-
Scottish spaceport cleared for construction, UK on track to enter orbital market
SaxaVord Spaceport has become the second launch facility in the United Kingdom to receive its milestone approval to begin construction. This comes after Sutherland Spaceport, another British vertical launch facility, cleared legalities last year and is now also in a similar position to begin its construction. The United Kingdom continues to make progress towards both…
-
On the 50th anniversary of Black Arrow, British space industry is on the verge of a return
Fifty years ago, a small rocket lifted off from the Australian Outback on a mission of contradictions. While the launch of Black Arrow R3 with the Prospero satellite aboard would be Britain’s first successful satellite launch, it also marked the end of the country’s ambitions to be a major player in the space industry. Over…
-
UK spaceports and launchers gearing up for first flights
In recent months, the United Kingdom’s endeavor to tap into a rapidly-growing market of commercial spaceflight has become a firm prospect. To achieve this, spaceports and aerospace companies are clearing major hurdles in order to begin orbital launches as soon as next year — as several projects are vying to provide an unprecedented orbital launch…
-
Scottish spaceport formally approved by Highland Council
Plans to launch small satellites from the Scottish Highlands took a step closer to fruition Wednesday after the Highland Council North Planning Applications Committee granted its final approval for the construction of a “Space Hub” in the northern county of Sutherland. The Space Hub Sutherland project, put forward by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE),…
-
Scottish spaceport formally approved by Highland Council
Plans to launch small satellites from the Scottish Highlands took a step closer to fruition Wednesday after the Highland Council North Planning Applications Committee granted its final approval for the construction of a “Space Hub” in the northern county of Sutherland. The Space Hub Sutherland project, put forward by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE),…
-
UK Spaceport at Sutherland enters public consultation phase
The UK’s new domestic spaceport in the Scottish Highlands has moved into a public consultation phase. Space Hub Sutherland is hoping to launch up to 10 small sat missions per year. Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which is backing the £17.3m project to design and build Space Hub Sutherland, lodged a proposal of…
-
Orbex reveals Prime’s second stage as it prepares for UK domestic launches
UK launch services provider Orbex has unveiled a completed engineering prototype of the second stage for its Prime rocket at the opening of its new headquarters and rocket design facility in Forres in the Scottish Highlands. Prime is a small satellite launcher that is set to be the first UK rocket to launch UK satellites from…