British Space Thread

[BMD]

Yes, it's optimistic, but here goes.

British-built satellite will improve flood and blizzard predictions

EarthCare measures water levels in clouds and detects speed of snow and rainfall

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[BMD]

Scotland's space race heats up as Orbex hints at Sutherland launch next year

The new chief executive of Orbex has strongly hinted that the company expects to achieve first launch from its Sutherland spaceport in 2025

www.heraldscotland.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1783394231098229032

 

[Gautam]

Scotland's space race heats up as Orbex hints at Sutherland launch next year

The new chief executive of Orbex has strongly hinted that the company expects to achieve first launch from its Sutherland spaceport in 2025

www.heraldscotland.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1783394231098229032

Any details about the engines of the Orbex Prime?

 

[BMD]

Any details about the engines of the Orbex Prime?

All I could find. Very small LV but it's a start... if it works.

Account Suspended

Account Suspended

Some details have changed since this wiki article according to site:

Orbex - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Parthu]

Any details about the engines of the Orbex Prime?

All I could find. Very small LV but it's a start... if it works.

Account Suspended

Account Suspended

Some details have changed since this wiki article according to site:

Orbex - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Orbex has gone bankrupt, months away from first launch.

UK space start-up Orbex collapses as takeover talks break down

Government-backed rocket maker in administration with £49mn in debt after sale discussions with Europe’s TEC fail

www.ft.com

Silver lining is that the infrastructure Orbex built can yet be of some use for other companies:

https://eandt.theiet.org/2026/02/13/skyrora-considers-ps10m-investment-sutherland-spaceport-amid-orbex-collapse

 

[BMD]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2023442087471943880

 

[BMD]

UK backs in orbit production of high value materials​

https://www.spacewar.com/reports/UK_backs_in_orbit_production_of_high_value_materials_999.html

UK backs new electric propulsion hub for satellite engines​

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/...propulsion_hub_for_satellite_engines_999.html

 

[BMD]

UK caps launch liability in timely boost for nascent domestic market​

UK caps launch liability in timely boost for nascent domestic market

A long-awaited cap on liability for U.K. launch operators came into force Feb. 18, aiming to make the country’s fledgling rocket sector more competitive as it struggles to get off the ground.

spacenews.com

 

[BMD]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2024141128379826458

 

[BMD]

UK rocket startup demonstrates world first plasma in nuclear fusion breakthrough

Nuclear fusion rockets could cut journey times to Mars from months to weeks

www.independent.co.uk

https://pulsarfusion.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Datasheets-10KW-2025.pdf

 

[BMD]

ESA welcomes new UK space and defence gateway

His Majesty King Charles III visited the UK’s largest space cluster on 10 July to launch a new initiative designed to shape the future of the space and defence economy.

www.esa.int

 

[Parthu]

UK to Leave Launch to “Germany and Other Allies”​

"The strategy calls for investment in launch infrastructure, primarily highlighting SaxaVord Spaceport, which it says will be capable of supporting up to 30 launches per year. The government plans to invest, subject to due diligence, £30 million in SaxaVord to “accelerate the operational readiness of the spaceport,” with the company having secured a further £30 million in private funding alongside the government support. On championing a home-grown rocket builder, however, the strategy is silent."

"With the publication of its Space Strategy, a more precise picture of the future of the country’s “assured access to space” has emerged.

“The UK is collaborating with Germany and other allies to establish responsive space launch opportunities through SaxaVord Spaceport,” the strategy states."

UK to Leave Launch to “Germany and Other Allies” - European Spaceflight

The newly published UK Space Strategy points to German-built rockets as key to ensuring the country’s access to space.

europeanspaceflight.com

 

[BMD]

Skyrora - NewSpace rocket company from the UK

Skyrora Limited are a UK company, producing technology inspired by BLACK ARROW. We aim to reduce the cost of space launches.

skyrora.com

Built to launch, built to lead​

Representing the next generation of private launch vehicle manufacturers aiming to meet the demand for launch vehicles in the burgeoning small satellite market.

ORBITAL LAUNCH VEHICLE

SKYRORA XL​

• Length - 22.7 m
• Diameter - 2.2 m
• Lift-off mass - 55,838 kg
• Payload mass - Up to 315 kg
• Propellant - HTP / kerosene
• Max G-load - 5 g

Skyrora - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org