Scottish space launch gets £20m cash boost

Making the announcement at the European Space Conference in Brussels, technology secretary Peter Kyle said the investment will make Prime the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket. Prime is designed to launch small satellites into low Earth orbit, a growing market that could see European demand alone reach $50bn by 2033.

It’s claimed that Prime’s development programme is supporting 140 high skilled jobs at Orbex’s HQ in Forres, about 30 miles east of Inverness on Scotland’s north coast. The launch itself will take place further north still at the SaxaVord spaceport, located at Unst on the northern edge of the Shetlands. The site benefits from the Shetlands’ high latitude, providing easier access to valuable polar orbits. SaxaVord became the UK’s first licensed vertical space launch site in December 2023 but has yet to host a launch.

“By investing £20m in this rocket launch, we are not only helping the country to become a leading destination for small satellite launches in Europe but bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to communities and organisations across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change,” said Kyle. 

“Britain’s impressive toolkit of scientific talent, world class facilities, and unique geography means we stand ready to lead the charge and to work together with our international partners as a key part of the new space revolution in Europe.”

It’s claimed that Prime marks a leap forward in space launch sustainability, with the rocket powered by renewable bio-propane fuel and many parts of the vehicle designed to be reusable once recovered after launch.

“We are entering the final preparations to deliver the most flexible and environmentally sustainable launch services to the global satellite industry,” said Phillip Chambers, Orbex CEO.

“This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development.”