Orbex unveils a full-scale prototype of its Prime smallsat rocket
Capitalism in space: Orbex today unveiled a full-scale prototype of its Prime smallsat rocket, positioned on its own launchpad at the Sutherland Space Hub spaceport in Scotland, now under construction.
The photo to the right shows that prototype, held vertical with its own strongback. From the press release:
With the first full integration of the Orbex rocket on a launch pad now complete, the company is able to enter a period of integrated testing, allowing dress rehearsals of rocket launches and the development and optimisation of launch procedures. Orbex recently revealed their first test launch platform at a new test facility in Kinloss, a few miles from the company’s headquarters at Forres in Moray, Scotland.
Note that Sutherland Space Hub is not the SaxaVord Shetland Island spaceport also being developed in Scotland. The two are competing with each other to successfully complete the first launch from the United Kingdom in history. Also competing for this honor is an airport in Cornwall, which has a deal with Virgin Orbit to do its own launch later this year. And regardless who wins this race, the three sites will likely give the UK the first European-based spaceports in history.
The United Kingdom’s decision in 2016 to shift from a single government-run spaceport to competition and capitalism appears to be now finally paying off.
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Capitalism in space: Orbex today unveiled a full-scale prototype of its Prime smallsat rocket, positioned on its own launchpad at the Sutherland Space Hub spaceport in Scotland, now under construction.
The photo to the right shows that prototype, held vertical with its own strongback. From the press release:
With the first full integration of the Orbex rocket on a launch pad now complete, the company is able to enter a period of integrated testing, allowing dress rehearsals of rocket launches and the development and optimisation of launch procedures. Orbex recently revealed their first test launch platform at a new test facility in Kinloss, a few miles from the company’s headquarters at Forres in Moray, Scotland.
Note that Sutherland Space Hub is not the SaxaVord Shetland Island spaceport also being developed in Scotland. The two are competing with each other to successfully complete the first launch from the United Kingdom in history. Also competing for this honor is an airport in Cornwall, which has a deal with Virgin Orbit to do its own launch later this year. And regardless who wins this race, the three sites will likely give the UK the first European-based spaceports in history.
The United Kingdom’s decision in 2016 to shift from a single government-run spaceport to competition and capitalism appears to be now finally paying off.
In order to remain completely independent and honest in my writing, I accept no sponsorships from big space companies or any political organizations. Nor do I depend on ads.
Instead, I rely entirely on the generosity of readers to keep Behind the Black running. You can either make a one time donation for whatever amount you wish, or you sign up for a monthly subscription ranging from $2 to $15 through Paypal, or $3 to $50 through Patreon, or any amount through Zelle.
The best method to donate or subscribe is by using Zelle through your internet bank account, since it charges no fees to you or I. You will need to give my name and email address (found at the bottom of the "About" page). What you donate is what I get.
To use Patreon, go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
For PayPal click one of the following buttons:
If these electronic payment methods don't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
Sons of V-2’s popping up all over the world now. People are definitely studying their rocket science and perfecting their hobby. Maybe some real competitors to Elon Musk will sprout soon, fingers crossed.
” . . . .to successfully complete the first launch from the United Kingdom in history.”
I’ve asked on my blog: ‘Where has the progenitor of the Industrial Revolution *been* in space? Nowhere, that’s where. The occasional astronaut, but not hardware. Really? This must eat Jeremy Clarkson alive.
UK engineers, techs, and scientist have thrived outside their home; why not where they live?
Blair: You ask an interesting historical question. What happened was that right after Great Britain successfully launched its own satellite using its own small rocket in October 1971, the government decided to shut down its entire rocket effort and instead rely on either the U.S. or ESA for future launches. It has only been in the past five years that the UK government has shifted to encourage launches by private companies.
“The Black Arrow & Britain’s Rocket Program”
Scott Manley (March 2020)
https://youtu.be/FKRkFwc9234
12:46
Mr Z/Blair,
I am going to presume that was done as they realized the cost.
“I am going to presume that was done as they realized the cost.”
Yes, the cost was that some of the best talent on the planet went to waste in the effort to get off the planet. Where is the value, there?